…The Band
Here is a brief history of playing this music in church and forming this ensemble. I was raised in a Lutheran church but became less satisfied with the church’s music as I became more interested in secular music. Of the secular music I enjoyed jazz became the most important to me. After my son, Charlie, was born the influence of my church upbringing grew stronger in my life and the need to reconcile secular music with the church’s music became more important. This resulted in rediscovering the music from my past and making it a part of the music I was now regularly performing.
Two neighbors who were both Lutheran ministers asked if Karen and I knew someone who could play in their worship service. Although they were looking for an organist I quickly said that Karen (piano) and I (bass) could help them out. I discovered that for leading a congregation in song, this combination of instruments was powerful and readily appreciated. More work with song leaders, choirs and writing arrangements for instruments and voices followed.
Messiah Episcopal Church, where Karen was hired for her diverse musical background, wanted to present a jazz concert featuring our music to help their outreach ministries and support their mission project in Haiti. For that reason we expanded the size of the group and tried to get the musicians that we really enjoyed playing with. The players heard here are some of the finest instrumentalists in the Twin Cities, and after playing with them in many different combinations over the last 11 years, it proved to be an easy task when selecting musicians for this project. They all brought expert musicianship, energy, humor, friendship and great integrity to this recording. All of these elements contribute to the group’s unique theatrical style and accessible presentation.
When I think of the finest jazz arrangers and composers I think of John Coltrane, Horace Silver, Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Sonny Clark and many others from the late ‘50s and ‘60s. I began to find my voice by combining the elements essential for modern jazz with the best hymns of the Christian tradition. The result is a large repertoire of songs that are represented here on this recording, and played regularly at churches. |
