|  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.
Listen to a SpiritJazz
interview on Jazz Connections (KBEM - Minneapolis)
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.
Karen and I thank Messiah Episcopal, Salem English Lutheran,
Grace-Trinity Community Baptist, Calvary Lutheran, and Judson
Memorial Baptist churches, and to family and friends who
have helped to get the word out.
- Tom Pieper |
