Folk Musician and Activist Jim Scott Returns to Tree of Life UU Congregation

Jim Scott, folk singer, composer. and musical activist, returns to the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road in McHenry, on Saturday June 2 at 7 pm with a new program, Gather the Spirit—A Raising of Voices.

Scott, who last performed at Tree of Life in 2016 with a tribute to his inspiration and mentor Pete Seeger, has made it his business for three decades to create and perform music that celebrates the earth. His songs and poetry have inspired and educated audiences around the world. He has developed presentations for every age group and crafted songs that sensitize his listeners to the beauty of the earth, teaching principles of ecology in memorable verses.  

Scott performing at Tree of Life in 2016.

“Jim brings a warmth and authenticity that turns any size audience into an intimate gathering,” according to Tree of Life Social Justice Chair Janet Burns.  “His lyrical melodies, well-crafted words, guitar mastery, and humorous surprises invite all to get involved with the songs and ideals he raises.  It’s a raising of voices and of spirits as Jim leads songs of earth, peace, community, love and just fun as everyone joins in. A lifelong UU he has visited over 700 UU churches in 3 decades of travels.”

As a member of the Paul Winter Consort and as a solo performer, Scott has recorded 18 albums including the highly acclaimed Missa Gaia/Earth Mass, A Concert for the Earth (Live at the U N), Big and Little Stuff: Songs for Kids, and Body and Soul, a soundtrack for the documentary series on PBS Television.  He is also an active Unitarian Universalist who as co-chair of the Seventh Principle Project helped to create the Green Sanctuary program and accompanying handbook for building an ecological/spiritual awareness in church congregations.

Scott performing with Pete Seeger.  Seeger called him "Some kind of magician" for his ability to get audiences to sing along.

Scott has performed or toured with John Denver, Tracy Chapman, Joan Baez, 10,000 Maniacs, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Holy Near, Dan Fogelberg, Odetta, and Tom Chapin.

His eco-anthems and modern hymns like Gather in Spirit have been included in the UUA. hymnal Singing the Living Tradition and are a regular part of many Sunday services. 

Tickets are $20 but all are welcome for a donation they can afford and are available at the door.

Scott’s CDs will be available for sale at the concert.

For more information call the Tree of Life at 815 322-2464, e-mail office@treeoflifeuu.org or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1764980900227343/?active_tab=about .

Roy Zimmerman’s ReZist Tour Comes to Tree of Life UU in McHenry

Roy Zimmerman brings his acclaimed ReZist Tour to Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road in McHenry this Friday, May 25 at 7 pm.  Zimmerman is a master of pointed humorous topical songs with eight solo albums to his credit in a career that has spanned more than twenty years.

Zimmerman brings the sting of satire to the struggle for peace and justice. His songs have been heard on HBO and Showtime. He has recorded for Warner/Reprise Records. His YouTube videos have garnered over seven million views, and he is a featured blogger for the Huffington Post.  He has shared stages with Bill Maher, Ellen DeGeneres, Holly Near, Robin Williams, Arlo Guthrie, John Oliver, Kate Clinton, and the late, great George Carlin, and tours the country constantly with his wife and co-writer Melanie Harby.

Roy Zimmeran

Among his fans is the master of satire songs Tom Lehrer who wrote “I congratulate Roy Zimmerman on reintroducing literacy to comedy songs. And the rhymes actually rhyme, they don’t just ‘rhyne.’”

Joni Mitchel said “Roy’s lyrics move beyond poetry and achieve perfection.”  

Paul Krasner, legendary editor of The Realist added “Original. Unique. Brilliant. Prolific. Talented. Insightful. Witty. Consistent. Versatile. He simultaneously inspires me and makes me laugh my ass off.”

Just one of Zimmerman's eight albums.

The show is the first of a pair of concerts by noted singer/songwriters.  On Sunday, June 2 at 6 p.m.  Jim Scott will return to Tree of Life with Gather the Spirit, an uplifting celebration of the music of activism. 

Tickets for Zimmerman’s show will be sold at the door and are $20 or donate what you can.

For more information call the church at 815 322-2464, e-mail office@treefolifeuu.org  or visit https://treeoflifeuu.org/2018/04/04/roy-zimmerman-in-concert-at-tree-of-life/.

Jim Scott’s Tribute Concert to Pete Seeger at Tree of Life UU Congregation

Jim Scott, folk singer, composer and musical activist, returns to the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Road in McHenry, for a special tribute to Pete Seeger on Friday, October 28 at 7:30 pm. 

Scott, who last performed at Tree of Life for the Cabaret Church arts festival in the spring of 2015, has made it his business for three decades to create and perform music that celebrates the earth. His songs and poetry have inspired and educated audiences around the world. He has developed presentations for every age group and crafted songs that sensitize his listeners to the beauty of the Earth, teaching principles of ecology in memorable verses. 

Pete Seeger, a lifelong activist and defender of the Earth as well as a beloved American folk singer was a natural inspiration.  Scott performed with Seeger and Peter Yarrow at the Great Peace March for Global Nuclear Disarmament in 1986 as well as on other occasions.  Seeger called him, “some kind of a magician.”

Jim Scott has written the beloved hymn Gather in Spirit and often performs at Unitarian Universalist Congregations.

As a member of the Paul Winter Consort and as a solo performer, Scott has recorded 18 albums including the highly acclaimed Missa Gaia/Earth Mass, A Concert for the Earth (Live at the UN), Big and Little Stuff: Songs for Kids, and Body and Soul, a soundtrack for the documentary series on PBS Television.  He is also an active Unitarian Universalist who as Co-chair of the Seventh Principle Project helped to create the Green Sanctuary program and accompanying handbook for building an ecological/spiritual awareness in church congregations.

Scott has performed or toured with Joan Baez, Jackson Browne, Tom Chapin, Tracy Chapman, John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, Joni Mitchell,  Holy Near, Odetta, and 10,000 Maniacs.

His eco-anthems and modern hymns like Gather in Spirit have been included in the U.U.A. hymnal Singing the Living Tradition and a regular part of many Sunday services.  In addition to the songs and stories of Pete Seeger, Scott will perform some of these songs as well.

Tree of Life is requesting a sliding scale donation of between $12 and $20 depending on the ability to pay.  All proceeds go to the work of the congregation.

Scott’s CDs will be available for sale after the concert.

For more information call the Tree of Life at 815 322-2464, e-mail office@treeoflifeuu.org or visit http://treeoflifeuu.org/2016/10/07/jim-scott-in-concert-october-28-2016/ .