After wading through some of the stuff on the Religion & Spirituality thing, I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions about where jazz and Jesus meet in harmony. Some of my favourites:
David Murray: Speaking In Tongues
Archie Shepp: Goin' Home
Charlie Haden/Hank Jones: Steal Away
Duke Ellington: Sacred Concerts
John Coltrane: A Love Supreme, Ascension
Charles Gayle: Spirits Above
Brubeck and Mary Lou Williams have done some good CJ also.
The complete works of Albert Ayler would seem to fit into the same category. I starred this question because I find it VERY interesting!
I just got off of MySpace.com and several groups are listed under "Christian jazz", but I didn't find anything worth my time to listen to, or read. There may be something there, but I got tired of searching. Anyhow, to your question:
I am a jazz musician and have been since before I was a Christian. I was really into rock for a while but I like jazz better. In working with many musicians, and reading many interviews with others, I think the answer to your question is that the point of harmony where jazz and Jesus meet is in the SPIRITUALITY of the music!
Search on the net for interviews with people like Carlos Santana, Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, Horace Silver and many others. You will find that they discuss the spirituality of their music even if they do not mention Jesus. I think ALL jazz musicians feel this, even if they don't acknowledge it. I know I definitely feel it. It is best to "intend" to play for God, but in true jazz, the spirituality is there regardless. Jazz is music sent to heaven and is not just of the earth. Try Ben Tankard or Kirk Whalum. I just happend to come across a Christian jazz sort of artist today on www.jesusfreakhideout.com
His name is Jake Smith, check him out! He's great!
Have a great day!
God Bless!
:) If you go back to the roots, the music of the southern black churches contributed imporant aspects to the development of jazz. The New Orleans tradition of the jazz funeral is carried on today and is a place where Jazz and our Lord meet. Finally such songs as Oh Didn't He Ramble or When the Saints Come Marching In are clearly of religious origin. Ramsey Lewis just put out a nice album "With One Voice" that contains some nice gospel instrumental covers.
Allen & Allen have self-titled album of instrumental covers also.
Kirk Whalum put out an album titled "The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter 1" that contains some real nice stuff. I agree with Ric P. Also, have you heard of Tim Bowman? He plays regular jazz and christian jazz, and he is an awesome guitarist. | 