History

In 2004, Liberty Baptist Church orchestra director Frank Birdwell had a vision of creating a jazz ensemble that would become an outreach ministry of Liberty Baptist Church located in Hampton, VA. This band's purpose would be to perform in various places such as community events, other churches, retirement facilities, and for various other special occaions. The focus of our ministry goal was and still is in entertaining audiences by performing in the style of the Big Band/Jazz era tunes of popular secular music, religious, and inspirational tunes from the 1940's to more present day music of that genre. Musicians from other churches and cities were welcome to join and be a part of the band's outreach opportunieis to perform and still are welcome to do so. On June 3, 2005, under the direction of Frank Birdwell, the band gave its premier performance at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, VA under the name of the H.I.S. Jazz Band (He Is Savior). Several years later, the band decided on a name change and became the Higher Ground Jazz band. Today, the band is under the direction of Joel Joyner, and continues in its mission to entertain and share our faith in God and love of music through performing and community outreach.