Lincoln Arts Festival’s Jazz weekend continues at 10 a.m., Sunday morning, July 21 at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor.

One of our community’s blessings, this wonderful morning church service is what is meant by “making a joyful noise unto the Lord." The joyous and dynamic program has been a favorite of the Lincoln Arts Festival for 19 years. It was the brain child of Ned Freeman, who directed this service many of those years.

For this service, Barney Balch leads the Novel Jazz Quintet. The musicians of Novel Jazz have been performing straight-ahead jazz around Maine and New England for over three decades. 

They draw from the Great American Songbook and specialize in the works of Edward Kennedy ("Duke")  Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.  The band members hail from all over Maine: Portland, Belfast, Northport, Newcastle, Gardiner, Augusta and Waterville.  

Recently, they’ve embarked on a project to go through the massive archive of compositions by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn (who wrote over 3,000 pieces between them), transcribe some lesser known gems for the band, and reinterpret them with a 21st century sound. 

The church service is free and open to all, but get there early for a seat. It is usually a standing room only crowd.

For more information, email laf@wiscasset.net or call 207-633-3913.