Jazz vicar takes on big band

The Syd Lawrence Orchestra have taken on a chaplain

A south Wales vicar has fulfilled a lifetime ambition to sing with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and in return has become the band's official chaplain.

The Reverend Marcus Green, from St Catherine's Church in Pontypridd, has been a lifelong fan of the swing band.

I got introduced to everyone as chaplain of the orchestra and the orchestra's society and I got to fulfil my ambition - they offered me one song on stage

Rev Marcus Green

He made a request to sing with the orchestra which was granted on the condition that he became the chaplain to the band and their fans.

Mr Green also sings in a jazz quartet as well as carrying out his church duties.

"You know what a musicians lifestyle is like - it is lousy," he said.

"There is so much travelling, so much away from home - so much dead time.

"Some people cope with it really well and really enjoy it but some musicians get into trouble.

"I got introduced to everyone as chaplain of the orchestra and the orchestra's society and I got to fulfil my ambition - they offered me one song on stage.

"What really surprised me was in the interval afterwards, people in the society came up to me and instantly wanted to talk about various things.

To fulfil who you are is something which is very important in Christian faith

Rev Marcus Green

"They decided I clearly understood where they were coming from.

"To fulfil who you are is something which is very important in Christian faith," he said.

The orchestra was started in 1967 by trumpet player Syd Lawrence and has toured across the world playing music from the swing era.

Mr Green's love of jazz music came after hearing the big band classic In the Mood.

"This is one of my absolute favourites and it's the first piece of music that really got me into it."

"It's just fun, bright and cheerful and I love it," he said.

Community

Representative of the orchestra, Tony Stueck said: "The whole band and its fans are like a big community - we have lawyers and all sorts.

"But we didn't have anyone representing religion.

"Marcus he loves the band, so we asked him if he would like to become the chaplain of the orchestra and the fan club.

"He accepted straight away," he added.

The congregation at St Catherine's supports Mr Green's chaplain duties for the orchestra.

One member said: "Music is a very important part of Christian praise and I think he will be good for the orchestra and they will be good for him."

Another worshipper said: "I am quite sure that he will enjoy being their spiritual guide - they are lucky to have him and we are lucky to have him too."