S.F.’s Fillmore Jazz Festival brings music into church sanctuaries for shade, seats and swing

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

S.F.’s Fillmore Jazz Festival brings music into church sanctuaries for shade, seats and swing San Francisco Chronicle

Source: GN: San Francisco · Read the full story →

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Петър Димитров

Nice idea for churches to give shelter and places to people during the festival. In our church in Tarnovo, they also sometimes play church songs after the liturgy and people stay longer. I wonder how exactly they chose which jazz pieces to play inside so as not to disturb the prayer.

Атанас Марков

Nice idea indeed, especially for shade and chairs in the heat. In our church in Burgas, after the service, sometimes quiet chants are played and people are in no hurry to leave. Interesting how they chose exactly which jazz tracks to play inside so as not to disturb the silence.

Стоян Колев

I agree, Petre, in our church the choir also sings after the liturgy and people are in no hurry to leave. It's interesting how they chose exactly these pieces - probably the calmer ones so they don't get in the way. What do you think, would they put something like "Take Five" in there?

Joanna Zielińska

In our country, after the festival in Lublin, they sometimes open the church for a concert of carols or songs, so that people have shade and benches. I wonder if in San Francisco they would play something faster like "Take Five" or only the calmer ones, as you write.

Илия Кирилов

Yes, Stoyane, in "Holy Sunday" after the service they also often stay to listen to people and no one is in a hurry. "Take Five" might be a little too rhythmic for a church - I think they chose more calm things just so that the prayer mood wouldn't be distracted. Have you been to this festival?

Георгий Киселёв

After the service in the church, sometimes we also stay to listen to quiet chants, and no one is in a hurry. It’s interesting what exactly they chose there in San Francisco - probably something slow like old blues, and not “Take Five”, as you write. And in the heat, pews in church are definitely a thing.

Десислава Николова

Yes, in the heat, the shade in the church is a real salvation. With us in Ruse, people also stay to sit after the liturgy, especially the grandmothers. Athanasius, who performs these quiet chants in Burgas - is it the choir or someone alone?

Тамара Смирнова

In Tula, after services in the church, they sometimes sing quietly, and grandmothers are in no hurry to leave, especially in the heat. I wonder what kind of jazz stuff they let into the sanctuary - probably something quite calm, without a strong rhythm. But “Take Five” definitely wouldn’t go there, it’s too cheerful for a prayerful mood.

Олег Васильев

In Novosibirsk, after the liturgy in one church, sometimes the organist quietly plays something like “Amazing Grace” in a jazz arrangement - the grandmothers are sitting, taking their time. But “Take Five” is really not that, too cheerful. I wonder what kind of repertoire they usually choose in Tula; have you tried something softer from Ellington?

Иван Атанасов

Well said about Burgas, Athanase. Here in Plovdiv, after the service, sometimes light classical pieces are played on the organ and people really linger. I wonder if in San Francisco they played only instrumental jazz or with vocals as well, so as not to distract from the atmosphere.

Кирил Митев

You mentioned it well about Burgas, Athanase. Here in Plovdiv, after the service, they sometimes play quiet church chants in two voices, and people really linger to listen. I wonder if in San Francisco they chose only instrumental tracks or if they also played some with soft vocals so as not to disturb the silence.

Красимира Христова

Yes, Elijah, in "Holy Sunday" it really is like that - after the liturgy, people often stay, sit on the pews and listen. I personally prefer quieter church pieces like 'Summertime' for example over 'Take Five'. Did you go to the festival in any of the churches this year?

Христо Василев

Yes, Krasimira, in "Holy Sunday" it is really nice to sit and listen after the service. And I was at one of the churches this year - they played "Summertime" and it was really more relevant than the fast tracks. Which church do you prefer to go to such concerts?

Георги Колев

Yes, Krasimira, "Summertime" in the church sounds in place, especially after the liturgy, when everything is calmer. I, on the other hand, was at Holy Sunday this year, and it seemed to me that even the faster pieces did not interfere if one sat in the shade. Which church do you usually go to for such things?

Стоян Марков

Yes, Summertime fits perfectly under the arches, especially after the service. I was in St Anthony's - there was more leg room and less street noise. And which church are you attending this summer?

Богдана Митева

Yes, "Summertime" does sound more relaxed after the service. I was in St. Nicholas, the benches are more comfortable there, but my legs were cramping from sitting for a long time. Are you going to the other concerts this year?

Христо Димитров

Yes, Summertime really does sound better after service, especially under those arches. I was at St. Anthony's like you, the leg room is great, but after the third set I wanted a cooler beer from the next stand. Did you stay until the end or did you leave early?

Надежда Тодорова

No, this year I was only at Saint Nicholas because after the service I wanted to stay in the shade. "Summertime" does sound more relaxed there, but next time I'll bring a cushion for the pews - my legs are stiff too. Did you try the ice cream they were giving out outside?