HISTORICAL

The current church building was built in 1892, the third to be constructed by the Presbyterians who formed their church in Sonya in 1847. Originally named St. Andrew's Church, it was the largest Presbyterian church in the region, holding hundreds of parishoners. It was decommissioned in 1986, and is now the private residence of James and Lynn MacDonald.

A quote from Kevin Clark, Sunday, Sept 28, 2002, after playing
trumpet and cooking New Orleans style, at our music club:

"As a performer, 'Amis du Jazz' is mah favorite jazz club ever! Ah've played in well over 2000 clubs all over the world, including the Blue Note, Birdland, and Snug Harbour, and Amis du Jazz is the best! It's not pretentious, the acoustics are great and the audience is spectacular!

CURRENT USE

What was formerly the church basement now serves as Lynn's labour of love, the renowned jazz club 'Amis Du Jazz' Lynn has deepened her jazz diplomat role by hosting the best music Canada has to offer to a vibrant and appreciative clientele who travle from Barrie, Orillia, Peterborough, Oshawa and Toronto to listen with rapt attention to her weekly concert series.

Such greats as Bernie Senesky, Kirk MacDonals, Don Thompson, Pat LaBarbera, Lorne Lofsky and Don Ross are regular performers at Amis Du Jazz. Lynn also features young rising stars like Jordan O'Connor, Dave Restivo and Lina Allemano.

The large church which houses Amis Du Jazz is located one hour N.E. of Toronto and has established itself as the home of Jazz in the Durham Region.