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Pastor Murray Richmond’s favorite jazz performer is John Coltrane. The late, enigmatic and spiritual jazz saxophonist and composer recently had a new gem come out, “Both Directions at Once,” which was recorded in 1963 but released in 2018. For Richmond, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Medford, the title is a perfect metaphor for what his church and life’s work mean. “Coltrane is looking at both sides,” he says, from jazz’s future to its past. “You jump into the sentence, and it’s both sides at once. “A church is the same way … we see in the middle. We look to our past and our future.” The future certainly looks great for Jazz Vespers, a monthly jazz event Richmond started with the help of Robin Blomquist, an experienced jazz hand from Los Angeles. The 30th Jazz Vespers performance, to be held Sunday, Sept. 9, will include a samba session dedicated to Stan Getz. As always, it’s free, and dedicated to art. Why jazz? “Jazz has an inherently spiritual quality to it,” says Richmond, who grew up in North Carolina, then worked as a DJ for a radio jazz program in Alaska before he relocated to the Rogue Valley to head First Presbyterian Church. “The whole style of improvisation mirrors our lives with God. We follow a theme but improvise the whole way as we go.” Some people “feel jazz is intimidating,” he says, but it’s really a way to connect with something meaningful — and spiritual. For Richmond, Jazz Vespers is another way the mission of being an inclusive, community-based church can be realized. “We invite everyone, and we’re not preaching,” he says. “Our goal is to bring people into the spiritual life, no matter what level you’re on.” Richmond defines his personal goals as the arts, music and social action. “The church is an organic thing, and it produces its own fruit.” In addition to music, the church’s jazz shows always highlight a local artist, whose work is on display. For example, a recent performance with Randy Scherer and Jazz Eclipse, which featured takes on Charlie Parker and Herbie Hancock, also showcased artist Sonia Harris, whose watercolor paintings reflect her travels to places such as Guatemala, Thailand and Nepal. Another show, which starred Bishop Mayfield, was complemented by the watercolors of Betty Bars. “I love visual arts almost as much as musical art,” Richmond says. “If you think about it, art is really living the creator’s glory,” and he says one of his main missions is to “enhance creation.” The performers seem to like playing at the Vespers events, says Richmond. It’s a welcoming place that embraces them, and the 132-year-old church is in beautiful shape, maintaining its original character through many restorations during its lifespan. It has great acoustics, and the musicians get paid. Richmond says that the monthly events began on a high note, but then the interest faded a bit for a time. But now, he says, it’s getting easier to find musicians. “We’re no longer searching for players. Performers really like playing here, and the word is out.” The Sept. 9 event is titled “Jazz Samba, a Tribute to Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd and the Bossa Nova Music Style.” The performers will include Bob Rawlings on saxophone, Ed Dunsavage on nylon string guitar, Joe Cohoon on bass, and Gary “Chicken” Hirsh on drums. Rawlings will play the Stan Getz parts and Dunsavage will play the Charlie Byrd parts. The artwork of Carolyn Roberts of Jacksonville will be featured in the church’s Hallway Gallery. The events are held every second Sunday at 5 p.m. The church is located at 85 S. Holly St. Jefferson Reeder is a freelance writer living in Medford. Reach him at [email protected] .