Featured Articles

Saxophonist/Composer Lance Bryant's unique article covering insights about the history of jazz, a range of jazz topics as well as great,  "in depth" insight on Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams, and John Coltrane ...    "It was during a concert while I was playing with the Lionel Hampton band in Europe. I remember sitting there in the sax section listening to Charles Stephens play his trombone solo.. He was up front playing his solo and suddenly, pow! (demonstrates) He scooped into a loud high note and immediately glissed downward. Seemed like the whole band responded with an Owww! or yeah! Again on his trombone he shouted and the band reacted. Just like in church! You stand and testify, tell your story and the church says amen!"        Read here!

Saxophonist Ron Brown shares Jazz and the Gospel in concerts in Japan! Get all the details ...  here!

Producer/Composer Eric Copeland shares inspirational thoughts for the New Year... here!

A very interesting article entitled, "Jazz Improvisation In Amos" (A Biblical thesis on jazz worship in the church) by Rev. Ronald V. Myers can be found here!

The CJA Network Welcomes New Members!

Quad Venti is a contempo jazz group comprised of Keyboardist/Composer Dave McKay, Carl Albrecht on drums, Gary Lunn on bass, and Michael Hodge on guitar. All of these guys are top writers, producers, and musicians in their own right but when you put the four together the results can be explosive! For more info and to hear their new CD visit here!

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James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, and piano. He has played with many of the legends of jazz. including, Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Leonard Feather said in in "Down Beat" mag;"... James Morrison is as sure a bet for jazz superstardom as Wynton Marsalis was in 1981"He also spends much time in education, doing master classes and workshops in many countries and running a jazz scholarship. An avid user of the latest technologies James is very involved in furthering the presence of jazz and music education on the Internet ( including development of a midi trumpet!) More info on James here!

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Drummer John Morrison has delighted audiences for more than 25 years with his humor and dedication to sounds that swing. Equally at home in a small group or big band setting, his musical facility runs the entire spectrum from traditional jazz, swing, Bebop, R&B, Soul and commercial jazz rock. John, who was voted Australia's best big band drummer heads up the Big Band, " Swing City".  He is also known for his work in the recording studio both as player and producer and hosts his own "Jazz at Five" radio show on Sydney radio station FM 99.3 His brother James is also a phenomenal trumpet player and leader in Australian Jazz. Together they run their own record label www.morrisonrecords.com.au   More info on John here!

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Steven Wallace is a  pianist/songwriter with a new CD entitled, "There’ll be Jazz in Heaven"! Steven shares that, " "Think about this... our existence on earth is just a shadow of the reality we will experience there...I am convinced...there will be complete artistic expression...and yes, I do believe there will be jazz in Heaven!" More info on Steve here!

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Saxophonist Don Pope has learned to play his music in three dimensions: heart, soul and spirit. This has fueled the desire to delve into spiritual places he had never gone before both in his life and his music. Don's love for Jazz music has not dimmed with his spiritual awakening, but has become much more defined. More info here!

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Clarinetist Rusty Bova loves to swing!
Rusty has always enjoyed listening to and playing jazz swing... mainly Benny Goodman, Pete Fountain, and Boots Randolph.  Rusty has performed with many individuals like the legendary Earl “Fatha” Hines, Billy Eckstien, Bill Tolle and Larnelle Harris.

Rusty is the founder of a unique Ministry, “Gospel That Swings”, he incorporates into his jazz concerts . He also has a video, "Gospel That Swings". More info here!

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Bassist Bryant Wilder has toured, recorded and/or performed for Missy Elliot, The CD Hawkins Singers, Jonathan Dubose Jr., Robert Lowe & Generations, New Kids On The Block, Shirley Caesar, Rev. Timothy Wright and the Grammy Award winning Tri-Boro Mass Choir.  More info  here!

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Opportunity for Christian Jazz Artists!

Norvell Molex Jr. has launched a new podcast and blog show called Gospel Jazz. The musical platform for this show is Jazz.He would like to feature Jazz artists from around the world. The show will feature interviews, guest speakers, etc. Operating under the Creative Common’s License, the show is available on Podcastpickle.com, podcast Central and other syndicated digital networks. More info here: http://gospeljazzsite.mypodcasts.net
 nmolexjr@comcast.net

 

This month on Smooth Pizzazz Radio we are featuring tracks from...  

 

Tracks from the new CJA Network Compilation CD, "Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Song's. An outstanding collection of material from network artists!

 

New And Notable

New follow-up release CD from Headsup Records... Jaco Pastorius Big Band "The Word Is Out"! Preview it here!

 

 Another great new CD release from Headsup Records is by Spyro Gyra - "Wrapped In A Dream". Preview it here!

"The Brazilian jazz-funk sound that began in the late 70's is as prevalent as it ever was - tune into Smooth Pizzazz for, "Brazilian Boogie" a CD collection filled with great Brazilian jazz, tasty horn sections and grooves. For a great Cuban Jazz/funk CD check out keyboardist Miguel Romero's, "Cuban Jazz Funk" CD. We are featuring several outstanding tracks from this CD including, "Sunrise" and, "Zorro's Rollercoaster".

Canadian born Jazz pianist/singer Carol Welsman also has some great Brazilian flavored jazz tracks featured as well!

Want to hear the very best collection of Christian Jazz?? You are only a few clicks away!! It is free and it broadcasts 24/7 all over the world! All the best jazz is featured on our station!

CJA Network Members In Action

Bassist Todd Johnson recently joined with Jazz Pianist Jim Martinez & Friends at the Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, CA for a great evening concert of "Jazz Praise" music. They have been also playing many, "Jazz Praise" concerts together in Pheonix, AR., The University Of Idaho, and several other churches!

Jazz Pianist/composer Chuck Marohnic on New Years Eve played piano in concert with the Mesa Symphony.   This was a Gershwin pops concert with vocalist Deater O’Neill and former arranger for the Airmen of Note, Mike Crotty. Chuck also has a new "Jazz In The Sanctuary" resource with both lead sheets and play along CD's to use in a jazz worship setting. For more info visit:  www.sanctuaryjazz.com/store

Saxophonist Justo Almario recently performed with his Jazz Quartet in Hollywood, CA. The evening featured music from Justo's latest CD, "Love Thy Neighbor" and also included Max Almario on Drums, Rick Zuniga playing guitar, and Edwin Livingston on bass. More info here!

On Dec. 16, 2005 Pianist/composer David Arivett joined with other great Christian Jazz Artists in a special Christmas Jazz concert at Millwood Christian Church in Rogers, AR. Joining together was the vocal group, "Fresh Fire", a rhythm section, and complete horn section. A variety of special Christmas Jazz music was performed! David has a new Jazz CD release coming out soon! More info on David here!

 Drummer Sean McCurley  had a great time playing gospel jazz concerts with saxophonist Ron Brown in Japan! Also Sean recently participated in the 2006 International Drummers For Jesus Celebration February 24th in Irving, Texas.

Guitarist Radny Bernsen recently played tracks for the new follow-up sequel CD to the Jaco Pastorius Big Band.

Jazz Pianist/Vocalist Peggy Duquesnel recently appeared with Tom Margitan at Bistro 400 in Santa Ana, CA . She also has been playing at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna
Niguel, CA. More info on Peggy here

OnFire Big Band are touring twice more with trumpeter James Morrison this year - first weekend in March, and the first weekend in November. They are also doing a flurry of gigs around Sydney until mid March. The second half of the year promises to be busy with some gigs with the Global Missions Project and some local Jazz festivals. More info here!

Guitarist Ric Flauding is keeping busy completing a new CD, "Caleo" which is an album of very guitar featured tracks... Ric has also been very busy with performances in Arizona as well session work (and concerts) in Calif. and in AZ. More info here!

Guitarist Michael Ripoll and his band NuSoul has been serving up more, "Cuban-funk Flamenco Soul" at Spaghettini in Seal Beach, CA. For specific dates and times visit: www.spaghettini.com     www.michaelripoll.com

Free New CJA Network Downloads!

 Jazz Funk/Fusion keyboardist Jeff Lorber's free Mp3 and midi file download. This midi file was performed by Jeff himself and has some absolutely great solo licks to check out! We also have all the great articles and  interviews from past newsletters for you to read!  Check it all out here!

"Jazz In Church" Page

We have a web page with links to relevant articles about Jazz in Church located here!

 

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"Just imagine: a joyful Jesus! Haven't we had enough of grim religion?"

 

CJA Network member Mark McClure has a great smooth-jazz flavored worship recording, "The Power Of Your Love" that you will really love! Four of the songs on the CD have complete orchestrations available (from Word Music) for those who wish to integrate more jazz into your worship services! There is also piano/instrumental books for all the songs on the CD. To hear audio excerpts or to order visit here!

Keyboardist/arranger Todd Billingsley has many excellent jazz flavored arrangements for the worship band at www.resources4worship.com

Swing a New Song to the Lord!

Excellent printed collection of jazz arrangements  of congregational music from over a dozen prominent jazz composers and arrangers! Check it out here!

Interested in learning more about Jazz theory, technique, or improvisation? Want to learn how to develop your ear and transcribe music? Visit the Jazz Ed page for a one stop collection including material from some of the top musicians in Jazz!  Books, Charts, CD's, DVD's, Videos, Midi files and more  here

Songs Of David is proud to be distributors for the Music Pad Pro by Freehand Systems!

Store all of your charts into the Music Pad Pro and never use paper sheet music again!
Whether you are a working musician, music director, or composer the Music Pad Pro is an incredible tool to keep all your charts in order and instantly have your entire library of sheet music always available!

Special offers for those in music ministry, music teachers, schools, colleges, universities and churches including discounts on the purchases of the MusicPad Pro.
For more in-depth product info   visit here!