• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Summer Fun Guide
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Summer Fun Guide
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Longboat Island Chapel jazzes up Sunday service

Al Hixon and jazz friends performed during the chapel's Sunday morning service on Feb. 12.


  • By Katie Johns
  • | 1:36 p.m. February 12, 2017
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Tony Swain told the crowd that it’s unheard of for a jazz group to perform at the same place 24 times.

But that’s exactly what happened at Longboat Island Chapel on Feb. 12 as members gathered for the 24th Annual Jazz Worship Sunday. Al Hixon organized the jazz band that composed of himself on drums, Dick Reynolds on piano, bassist John Lamb, Swain on clarinet, Louise Wilson on trombone, James Suggs on trumpet and Jordana Tolsky on vocals.

“You keep inviting us, so we must be doing something right,” Swain said to the crowd.

This year’s theme was weather and the band performed various songs such as “Blue Skies,” “When the Sun Comes Out” and “Over the Rainbow.”

Following the service, those in attendance enjoyed refreshments in the chapel’s Shook Fellowship Hall.

Betty Buckley and Jo Anne Donnelly
Betty Buckley and Jo Anne Donnelly
Jack Shaffner and Ed Buckley
Jack Shaffner and Ed Buckley
Nancy Luse, June King and Nathalie Treonis
Nancy Luse, June King and Nathalie Treonis
Ruth and Bob German
Ruth and Bob German
Linda and Pat Lawless
Linda and Pat Lawless
Singer Jordana Tolsky, bassist John Lamb and trumpet player James Suggs
Singer Jordana Tolsky, bassist John Lamb and trumpet player James Suggs
James Suggs, Louise Wilson, John Lamb, Jordana Tolsky, Dick Reynolds, Al Hixon and Tony Swain performed during Longboat Island Chapel’s Sunday service on Feb. 12.
James Suggs, Louise Wilson, John Lamb, Jordana Tolsky, Dick Reynolds, Al Hixon and Tony Swain performed during Longboat Island Chapel’s Sunday service on Feb. 12.
Jordana Tolsky sings along as Louise Wilson, James Suggs and Tony Swain play “Amazing Grace.”
Jordana Tolsky sings along as Louise Wilson, James Suggs and Tony Swain play “Amazing Grace.”
James Suggs, Louise Wilson and Tony Swain start off the service.
James Suggs, Louise Wilson and Tony Swain start off the service.
Jordana Tolsky sings “When the Sun Comes Out.”
Jordana Tolsky sings “When the Sun Comes Out.”
Trombonist Louise Wilson performs “When Sunny Gets Blue.”
Trombonist Louise Wilson performs “When Sunny Gets Blue.”
Tony Swain narrated the service on Feb. 12.
Tony Swain narrated the service on Feb. 12.
Tony Swain, Louise Wilson and James Suggs, along with Dick Reynolds, John Lamb and Al Hixon perform “When it’s Sleepy Time Down South.”
Tony Swain, Louise Wilson and James Suggs, along with Dick Reynolds, John Lamb and Al Hixon perform “When it’s Sleepy Time Down South.”
Longboat Island Chapel was packed on Feb. 12 as members attended the 24th annual Jazz Worship Sunday.
Longboat Island Chapel was packed on Feb. 12 as members attended the 24th annual Jazz Worship Sunday.

 

Latest News

Sarasota's Alderman MURT includes a rest area with a shade shelter, drinking fountain, benches and tables, and a bike repair station as well as landscaping.  This view looks east, toward School Avenue.
  • March 30, 2026
City's latest transportation link opens Tuesday
Traffic often backs up from the Cortez Bridge intersection onto Longboat Key during peak season.
  • March 30, 2026
Manatee looking for MPO citizens advisory committee members
The proposed site of a city-owned attainable housing development across First Street from City Hall. The red X marks the location of the city's credit union office, which is now being considered for purchase by the city.
  • March 30, 2026
City works to add parcel to workforce housing project
Kelley Klepper, a vice president and senior planner for Kimley-Horn, speaks with Indigo’s Suzanne Henke following the Envision Manatee presentation at the Lakewood Ranch Library March 28.
  • March 30, 2026
Workshops seek feedback on Manatee County's comprehensive plan updates

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sue Wertman and Ann Quackenbush join their sister-in-law, Molly Quackenbush, in enjoying a pancake breakfast fundraiser hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key. Chris Sachs and fellow Kiwanians volunteers to raise support for Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee.
  • March 28, 2026
Kiwanians support Family Promise chapter at pancake breakfast
Tennis pros Robert Jendelund and Tomasz Borucki face off in a doubles match against Jhonathan Gonzalez and David Pfister at the Longboat Key Tennis Center's end-of-season party March 25.
  • March 28, 2026
Tennis pros face off at end-of-season bash
Together, John and Shannon Barton make the "Roaring '20s" at the Great Gatsby-themed annual dinner for members of the Friars Club. Attendees shared their favorite memories from the season and gave out awards at the March 24 celebration at the Harbourside Ballroom.
  • March 27, 2026
Friars golfers throw back to Roaring '20s
Theo Chien and Peter Ginsburg test out their fire helmets at the Longboat Key Fire Rescue open house on March 25 at Station 92. The pair picked out some fire station-themed toys while meeting first responder staff at the annual event.
  • March 27, 2026
Longboat families connect with first responders
Gary Love of Gary Love Photography shows an art festival-goer how the various places the light hits the shell-covered beach give the up-close image depth. He was one of several new artists featured at the Feb. 21-22 art festival on Longboat Key.
  • March 26, 2026
Art show upcoming this weekend
Five youth sailing teams raced against one another in the first Next Tack regatta on March 21 at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron headquarters. The program is a more advanced offshoot of the partnership between Spectrum Sailing and the Sarasota Youth Sailing Squadron that fosters inclusive, peer-based sailing instruction.
  • March 25, 2026
New inclusive sailing program brings big smiles

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now