It is going to be a jazzy Christmas at Christ Lutheran Church in Pacific Beach thanks to singer/songwriter Carjanae (above), who will be giving a soulful vocal performance of Christmas hymns at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4761 Cass St.
Carjanae, who goes by that title, will be joined by pianist Sophia Elswick and guitarist Christian Rodriguez on stage amid the nationally renowned mosaic interior of Christ Lutheran Church. Her wide-ranging vocal style has taken her from December Nights in Balboa Park to roles in “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Miss You Like Hell,” and “Into the Woods.” Her latest releases are “Really?” and “Control,” with beats by her sister, specs.so.smooth.
“I love singing Christmas music with as much love, fun, and joy as possible,” said the 23-year-old songstress and poet, who is San Diego born and raised.
Carjanae met her concert accompanists at Grossmont College where she said they were “jazz vocalists together.” She added Grossmont is where she “fell in love with jazz even more finding ways of being more creative. It was so much fun to be able to sing a song so differently: It was inspiring.”
The vocalist was excited to be asked by the church to do their Christmas concert. “I just want to make sure I give it all I can, to touch someone with the spirit of God, and the joy I personally get when I sing Christmas music,” she confided.
Of their trio’s Dec. 11 performance, Carjanae noted they are going to be doing jazz spinoffs of Yuletide favorites like “My Favorite Things.”
“One of the things I love about jazz is the possibilities of solos,” said the jazz singer. “I love to give everybody a chance to do a solo with their instrument. Christian has some amazing guitar licks that he does within his solo and Sophia, ‘I just love how she plays piano.’ Jazz gives everybody a chance to shine.”
Carjanae added she loves being versatile and singing in all types of musical genres. “I don’t want to limit myself to anyone,” she said adding, “I’m always open to performing anywhere. I just keep saying one of my goals is to spread love. And any opportunity I get to do that – I will take it.”
CLC’s digital media director, Chelsey Hinrichsen, noted the church has “a robust social media presence that represents our mission and ethos as a congregation, sharing the unconditional love of God with ‘all’ people.”
Hinrichsen said CLC offers a lot of programming. “We recently hosted a free meditation series for the community titled Connect & Glow, which was designed by our music coordinator and is set to music,” she said. “Last month, the Matsiko World Orphan Choir performed in our sanctuary as a free concert for the community. The Dec 11 event is ticketed, in an effort to support both the band and Christ Lutheran Church’s music fund. We plan to host other artists, such as David Wilcox, this spring.”
Programs/ministries at CLC include weekly pastor-led Bible studies on the week’s upcoming readings, monthly Bible studies hosted by members, music ministries such as a grassroots group of ukulele players named The Ukulutherans, a monthly book group, a Matching Gift Program, and Endowment Fund scholarship opportunities.
Groups and organizations rent space from the church to carry out their missions. Those groups include a down syndrome achievement center, a community homeless resource hub, immigrant support, daily 12 Step recovery groups, free/low-cost yoga classes, and a community garden.
Tickets for the Dec. 11 Christmas concert are $20 and can be purchased at the door or http://bit.ly/3gzO09F. For more information about Christ Lutheran Church Pacific Beach, visit christpb.org.
About Christ Lutheran
Christ Lutheran Church in Pacific Beach was established in 1947. Traditional, in-person church service is every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and a meditative service is offered online via YouTube. The vision of Christ Lutheran Church is to share God’s unconditional love and to tell the story of Jesus to all. All are welcomed to be part of CLC’s community, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, marital status, social or economic state, physical or mental challenge, and whether one is confident or questioning in faith. CLC is committed to the work of anti-racism. Located two blocks from the Pacific Ocean, the fitting slogan of Christ Lutheran Church is: “Saints, Sinners, and Surfers.”
