Community of St. Thomas

Sings Bonnemere's Mass for Eve Community of St. Thomas

Pianist, composer and music educator Eddie Bonnemere's unusual career evolved from the church to the cocktail lounge and back again to the church. Bonnemere, who established a reputation in New York performing at various Harlem churches, ventured into the realm of Latin jazz in 1953 and was considered somewhat of a specialist in the field. Bonnemere is credited with giving Ray Barretto, the great Latin percussionist, his first professional gig. Following several years of playing clubs and cocktail lounges, Bonnemere began working in the controversial area of the jazz mass in the late 1960's. He released three albums from these projects including the impressive Mass for Every Season, presented here, which involved the community of one of the oldest churches in Harlem, the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle. Originally released in 1969. All selections newly remastered.