Sunnyhill Live!
Christopher Mark Jones & The Roots Ensemble
Friday, November 15th, 7:30pm
Christopher Mark Jones draws from folk, country, blues, jazz and r ’n b sources to stage his literate folk rock meditations. Using diverse points-of-view to narrate and critique life and love in uncertain times, he invites listeners to think, feel and dance. Recorded and live arrangements leave space for his musical co-conspirators to both express their personalities and honor the host creation. Listeners hear echoes of “Greg Brown’s pacing and a Lyle Lovett attitude” (Ben Shannon), as well as of John Prine, Bruce Coburn and Darrell Scott.
Between careers as a basketball player and French professor, Jones busked in Paris, toured the UK, Denmark, and Holland, and played New England clubs. He now tours solo from Pittsburgh, PA, and plays regionally in formats varying from solo to full band. Looking for the Light (2021) is his sixth recording of original folk/roots songs, while Montréal Encore (2022) is a French-language recording created in collaboration with the poet Bernard Pozier.
Christopher Mark Jones & The Roots Ensemble is Christopher’s full-band performance group in Southwestern Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. Members include Dave Gillespie (electric and acoustic guitars and vocals), Christopher’s cousin and a superb multi-instrumentalist, singer and writer in his own right, Eric George (drums and percussion) the house drummer and music director for Acousticafé at Mr. Small’s Funhouse, as well as a frequent session musician, and Mark Perna (fretless electric and upright bass), a Pittsburgh jazz scene regular who played with Richie Cole for many years. Christopher and the band have performed locally at Club Café, SongSpace at First Unitarian, SouthSide Works, Frick Summer Fridays, Sunnyhill Live at South Hills Unitarian, City of Asylum, Mt Lebanon First Fridays, WestMoreland Art and Heritage Festival, and BurghSong at Sunburst, among others.
Tickets HERE!
$15 Adult/ $10 Student (plus $1 transaction fee) online until noon on Friday, November 15th;
$20 Adult/ $15 Student at the door (credit card processing fees apply).
The Sunnyhill Live! Team is excited to announce that local artist, Christopher Mark Jones, has partnered with us to program a wonderful lineup for the 2024-25 concert series, bringing you some of the best local music Pittsburgh has to offer as well as thoughtfully curated acts from afar! Check back here for details and ticket sales.
Friday, September 27th, 2024 @7:30pm – Neighbors: Four Mt. Lebanon Songwriters
The new Sunnyhill Live! series kicks off with a songwriter in-the-round show with Mt. Lebanon songwriters Dan Getkin, Dan Petrich, Vince Rause, and Christopher Mark Jones. These four have been meeting occasionally in Christopher’s studio to share and critique songs in progress and are glad to have the opportunity to share the stage at Sunnyhill.
https://christophermarkjones.com/home
Friday, October 18th, 2024 @7:30pm – Squirrel Hillbillies
From deep within the urban forest of Pittsburgh’s East End, the Squirrel Hillbillies often emerge to share their eclectic mix of acoustic roots music, spanning folk, country and blues. Through a collaborative, nonlinear songwriting process, duo partners Jenny Wolsk and Gary Crouth draw from personal experiences, third-hand stories, and vivid imaginations to craft songs that are unpredictable and quirky yet widely accessible.
https://www.squirrelhillbillies.com/
Friday, November 15th, 2024 @7:30pm – Christopher Mark Jones and The Roots Ensemble
Christopher Mark Jones draws from folk, country, blues, jazz and r ’n b sources to stage his literate folk rock meditations. The Roots Ensemble is his full-band performance group in Southwestern Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. Members include Dave Gillespie (electric and acoustic guitars and vocals), Christopher’s cousin and a superb multi-instrumentalist, singer and writer in his own right, Eric George (drums and percussion) the house drummer and music director for Acousticafé at Mr. Small’s Funhouse, as well as a frequent session musician, and Mark Perna (fretless electric and upright bass), a Pittsburgh jazz scene regular who played with Richie Cole for many years.
https://christophermarkjones.com/home
Friday, February 21st, 2025 @7:30pm – Joy Street
Joy Street is a harmony singing group! They are Susan Spangler on mandolin, Mary Fleck and Deborah Brooks on guitars, Lutie Rodriguez on cello, Jan Hamilton on fiddle, and Brian Junker on banjo, accompanying Susan, Mary and Deborah in some of the prettiest harmony singing you’ll hear… and there is always lots of laughter!
https://brianjunkermusic.com/joy-street/
Friday, March 14th, 2025 @7:30pm – the Heather Pierson Duo
Heather Pierson is a singer/songwriter and performer with a passion for cultivating joy, both onstage and off. Her uplifting live performances with her bassist/partner Shawn Nadeau pulsate with the grooves of New Orleans, the beauty of Appalachia, and Sunday-go-to-meeting celebration.
Friday, April 4th, 2025 @7:30pm – Annie and Rod Capps w/ Jason Dennie
Annie and Rod Capps have established themselves as well-respected songwriters, musicians and performers, with three albums topping the Folk Radio charts and as 2-time Kerrville New Folk Finalists. They explore their love of blending diverse styles to create a fresh and unique amalgamation all while sticking to their narrative “songs about broken things and poignant little ponderings delivered with a rootsy vibe, a touch of twang and soulful groove”.
About Sunnyhill Live!
Sunnyhill Live! is our arts series that features the best in live music, film and theater in a casual, comfortable, and intimate setting.
Mission Statement
The goal of Sunnyhill Live! is the enhancement of congregational life at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills through the presentation of diverse, high-quality cultural arts performances.
Objectives
- To encourage fellowship for church members and community by providing a non-smoking, family-friendly cultural arts environment;
- To enhance the visibility and presence of the church in the community;
- To create a financially successful operation whose proceeds will be used to support the mission of the church.
Please email Mary Pratt (musicdirector@sunnyhill.org) if you’d like to be added to the Sunnyhill Live! email list; you’ll be the first to be notified of upcoming events and ticket availability!