By Sue Griffith Coleman
The Marguerite Francis Music @ Noon concert series, held at Bartlett United Methodist Church launched it’s fourth season on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, with an outstanding performer, John Nilsen, a pianist, guitarist, songwriter and recording artist from Portland, Oregon. He is one of the most successful recording artists in the Northwest. With CD sales approaching one million copies, Nilsen can be seen performing his original instrumental pieces of jazz, classical, folk and rock throughout the United States and elsewhere in the world. He is releasing a new CD, Wild Rose, in late August, which can be found on the Magic Wing record label.
The free concerts are held from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. each Wednesday in the church’s sanctuary, with a light lunch available for purchase following each performance. Scheduled performances for the fall season include Mary Wilson and Randal Rushing, Van Duren and Vicki Loveland, David Schnell, Marty Kocman and Pam Block, Kenny Hays, Karen Strawhecker and Lisa Ham, Scott Elzholz, The JP Ensemble, Sarah Harr, David Ashley, Phil Brown and Kelly Kramer.
“The community has responded and supported this series and we continue to showcase many new and talented musical artists,” said Todd Wilson, Bartlett Methodist’s Music Director. “The series reputation has continued to grow as more people become aware of the it. We invite you to take 30 minutes out of your Wednesday to enjoy some of Memphis area’s finest musical talent.”
Music@Noon was established by Memphis’ own musician David Francis to honor his mother, Marguerite Francis who was a person ahead of her time on issues ranging from racial equality to equal rights for women. Her life and her choices reflected a generosity of spirit, a striving for excellence and a refusal to allow life’s struggles to tame her irrepressible joy in living. This concert series honors her exceptional life.
Further information on the series is available on the Bartlett UMC Web site, www.bartlettumc.org. Bartlett UMC is located at 5676 Stage Road in Bartlett.
