Multifaceted musician was fixture in Cleveland's church community
August 23, 1945 - June 27, 2024
Lavert Levin Stuart was an extraordinary classical musician, jazz artist, pipe organist, pianist, music teacher, and choir director. A sought-after church musician for almost 60 years, he served as minister of music at several congregations in Northeast Ohio.
Lavert died June 27 at the age of 78.
Lavert was born on August 23, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up on Pierpoint Ave. and attended Miles Standish Elementary School, which he could see from his front yard. He took piano lessons at the school and, inspired by his grandmother, later learned to play the pipe organ. He attended Empire Junior High and graduated from John Adams HS in 1963. He was the first in his family to go to college, earning a scholarship to Ohio University, where he majored in pipe organ.
Lavert moved to Chicago after graduation, continuing his organ studies with Edward Mondello, the University Organist at the University of Chicago. He was simultaneously working in the Chicago public schools and playing at various area churches. He received a recommendation to study at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he studied for two years.
While in Boston, he contributed to the fabric of the community both musically and culturally. He served as the musical director at the First Congregational Church in Weston and played his graduation recital at the historic Old West Church. He helped develop Boston’s Black Heritage Trail. On September 19, 2010, Boston City Council honored him for “providing spiritual leadership through music ministry, for providing community service in the Cities of Boston and Cleveland, and for his significant commitment to developing interest and knowledge in Black history and culture.”
Boston is also where Lavert developed as a jazz musician. At the New England Conservatory, he studied under Gunther Schuller, who was then the school’s president. His development as a jazz artist continued as he played in clubs in Cape Cod and on Martha’s Vineyard.
Once back in Cleveland, he returned to his home church Mt. Zion Congregational Church where he served as the organist and choir master. He also served as the director for the Sutphen School of Music at the Phillis Wheatley Association. During the 1980s, Lavert could be seen and heard playing jazz at many clubs and restaurants including extended stints at Cleveland’s Sweet Water Café and Mantell’s in Willoughby.
Lavert’s energy and talent extended to theater work as a conductor-pianist for productions with Karamu House and the Ensemble Theater. He performed with Karamu’s production of “Langston” at Lincoln Center in New York City and as a featured pianist in Philip Hayes Dean’s biographical play, “Paul Robeson.”
Away from the organ pit and the piano stool, Lavert was appreciated by his friends for his precise manner, sense of style and an impish humor that caught the unaware by surprise. The humor seemed rooted in his observation of the human condition.
In 1996, he began a long tenure with Antioch Baptist Church as church organist. Speaking of Lavert, the Rev. Dr. Marvin A. McMickle , Antioch's pastor emeritus, once said, “His ministry of music has been a blessing to me … Lavert Stuart has been our local version of the Music Man.”
Lavert’s music was his ministry. It was not unusual for him to show up at a hospital, nursing home or someone’s home to play comforting music. He also volunteered his time at McGregor Senior Living Facility in East Cleveland, where he played piano in the dining hall.
Over the last twenty years, Lavert also had a relationship with the Christian Science Church in Rocky River, where he served as the church organist and a minister of music. Up until recently, he could be heard regularly playing his signature piece, the Carillon de Westminster, written for the organ by the French composer Louis Vierne.
In addition to Mt. Zion UCC, Antioch and Rocky River, Lavert served and played in many churches, from Cleveland’s University Circle United Methodist Church to the Cathedral de St. Trinity in Port au Prince, Haiti.
Lavert was preceded in death by his parents, Odette Britton and Abner Vance, and a sister, Judith Warr. He is survived by three sisters — Marjorie Robinson, Deborah Brown, and Angela Vance — and three brothers — Abner Vance, Jr., Rev. Duane Britton, and Desmond Jamison — and a whole host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Homegoing Service will be held Friday, July 12, 2024, at noon at Antioch Baptist Church, 8869 Cedar Rd. [44106]. A one-hour wake will precede the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home.
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