East Brentwood Presbyterian Church’s Second Annual Music in the Grove a Success

September 7, 2016

East Brentwood Presbyterian Church filled their church yard with an abundance of talent on Labor Day, including a juggling act and several music performances.

EBPC’s Second Annual Music in the Grove hosted their free concert and family festival behind their church, with a small stage set up for families to bring blankets and chairs while several food trucks Smokin’ Buttz and Blue Monkey Shaved Ice provided visitors with a meal.

The diverse acts, included a juggling group Playing By Air, the church’s music director Nate Strasser on piano with his band, soul singer Maureen Murphy with the headliner, gospel/rock artist Jason Eskridge.

Playing By Air is a juggling group that presents a symphony of action, comedy, music, juggling, and circus that audiences describe as “a gift of laughter and joy.” The award-winning performers of Playing By Air share their sense of playfulness and breathtaking feats in a production enjoyed equally by adults, families, and children. Playing By Air has been invited to appear at The White House and has played in front audiences of all sizes, including Fortune 500 companies and in front of 20,000 fans at Madison Square Garden.

Multi-genre pianist Nate Strasser was selected to perform at the International Music Workshops in Scotland at the age of eight and in Austria at the age of 10. After gaining a degree in jazz studies, and further studies in scoring for movies and television at USC, he is a studio musician, songwriter, and arranger, as well as a soloist with performances ranging from the Washington Symphonic Orchestra to the main stage at the Heritage Port BluesFest. Strasser performed Sunday evening alongside of Billie Holiday reincarnate Laura Mayo, bass guitarist Joe Schneider and drummer Joe Ennis.

Maureen Murphy is currently touring with the Zac Brown Band and STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector Nine). She can also be heard on various major label recordings from Phish to Will Hoge. She has performed live at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Fenway Park, Wembley Arena in London, Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, Wrigley Field, Hollywood Bowl, CMA Music Festival, Kaboo Music Festival, CMA Awards Show and more. She joined Jason Eskridge for his set at the closing of the concert.

Jason Eskridge, a multi-genre singer has opened and sang with acts such as Lyle Lovett, Jonny Lang, Aaron Neville, Nicole C. Mullen, Marc Broussard, DJ Maj, Randy Travis, and Toby Mac. Hailed for his amazing voice, one journalist described his powerful and versatile talent by exclaiming that “his James Taylor is every bit as good as his Steve Wonder.”

“As you can see, we have an embarrassment of riches here on this stage,” Pastor John Hilley said, talking about the talented artists present for the event.