Sunday, October 15, at 5:30, Bard Owl—T. Breeze Verdant and Annie Landenberger—will be featured performers in the Grafton Community Church's (GCC) 2023 Evensong Series.

In lieu of morning worship that Sunday, the church offers the Evensong tradition coordinated by GCC music minister, Ken Olsson. Of the series, Olsson says, "we wanted to offer to the community a concert series with a touch of worship." Pastor Bill Watson adds, "In the longest season of the liturgical year, it's wonderful to change the pace of worship with these Evensong presentations. They add a fresh perspective to our spirituality."

Bard Owl's playlist shows upbeat tunes mixed among jazz, ballads, rocking blues, sweet and slow tunes —new, old, original, familiar, unexpected. Verdant's sound, honed over 50 years, is driven by complex guitar rhythms matched by his stomp box beats and fully-ranged vocals. "At age 3 he started singing Little Richard and Elvis interspersed with military tunes while lying in bed at night," as written on the duo's website. "He has since dropped the military songs and allows others to sleep. An intuitive musician, he only plays music that he feels." Landenberger has been singing since age 6 when she regaled her parents' dinner guests with a litany of Mitch Miller favorites. To Bard Owl she adds percussion and her own voice which has been heard widely for decades in a range of styles—folk, classical, jazz, blues—and musical theater.

Folklore scholar, athlete, and circus performer, Montana Miller says of Bard Owl: "Annie and Breeze are the kind of singers who, like other artists we grew up singing along with, know how to embrace and gather an audience into the warmth and generous spirit of their music. Their love for each other permeates every song; humble and heartfelt melodies invite us to join in and it's healing just to listen…"

For the October 15 Evensong in Grafton, the Williamsville-based duo will be playing tunes centered on hope in various manifestations.

Following Evensong all are invited to a community supper in the lower level of the church. The event is free, though thank offerings for both the concert and the meal are appreciated. Grafton Community Church at 55 Main St., Grafton is handicapped accessible with an elevator. Evensong concerts are also available on zoom: The link to concerts and their recordings can be found under the worship tab at graftoncommunitychurch.org, before the Evensong and during the following week.

For more information on Bard Owl, visit bardowlmusic.com.