Season Three begins with a burst! After a couple of minutes of catching up, Jeff Kellam shares an interview with Dante Di Stefano. He’s a brilliant poet and educator with a love for John Coltrane’s music. Let’s listen to what he has to say.

We are grateful to the Broome County of Churches, who have facilitated Jeff’s interview with their “Encounter” show on WBNG-TV.

Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
Announcer: Chris Norton

© Presbybop Music.

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Episode 41 – Jazz Comes to Church (June 6, 2024)

Our two co-hosts talk about bringing jazz into a worship service. How and where does it fit? Bill Carter has been doing this for decades, so he shares some musical examples.

Music in this episode: “Sabbath Song,” “Pass the Plate,” by Bill Carter and used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI). “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” arranged by Bill Carter. Previously unrecorded.

Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
Announcer: Chris Norton

© Presbybop Music.

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In this musical episode, Bill Carter and Jeff Kellam discuss the development (or redevelopment) of old material, musical or otherwise. Bill introduces a suite of four tunes originally composed for a 2001 concert at Binghamton (NY) University. He has recently revised and updated them for a jazz sextet, and we hear the second “premiere” of the music. Enjoy – there’s a lot of music.

Music in this episode: “Suite SUNY” by Bill Carter and used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI). Previously unrecorded.

Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
Announcer: Chris Norton

© Presbybop Music.

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Here is our first “Mailbag Episode,” where Bill Carter and Jeff Kellam address a burning question from one from our listeners: Which is better? Live jazz or jazz recorded in the studio? Our two raconteurs discuss this, and demonstrate the difference between the studio recording of Bill’s tune, “Rumpelstiltskin” and a very recent live concert recording. Can you hear the difference? We think you can.

Any more questions? Send them to office (at) presbybop (dot) com.

Music in this episode: “Rumpelstiltskin” from Interior Window, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet. Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)

Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
Announcer: Chris Norton

© Presbybop Music.

Support the show

Jeff asked Bill, "Is composing a new book like composing a jazz tune?" What follows is a lively conversation about writing Thriving on a Riff: Jazz and the Spiritual Life. How was the book put together? What was the process? How is the composition of the book an expression of creativity? Be sure to give this episode a listen.

And if you are so inclined, contact our preferred bookseller and get your copy of the book by clicking here.

Music on this episode:

• “Refracted Light” by Bill Carter, recorded on Interior Window by Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet. Used by permission. © Presbybop Music (BMI)

Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
Announcer: Chris Norton

© Presbybop Music.

Support the show

There are many extraordinary souls in the jazz community. Here is one to know: Ike Sturm. He is a bassist, composer, band leader, and creative spirit. What fun to speak with him about his formation as a musician, his creation of a jazz mass, and his earth-honoring duo called "Endless Field." It's a perfect episode for Earth Day - or Earth Year.

Music:

• "Gloria" from JazzMass, composed by Ike Sturm
• "The Well," from Alive in the Wilderness, Endless Field.

Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
Announcer: Chris Norton

© Presbybop Music.

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BONUS - For Holy Week, we offer a re-broadcast of a previous episode.

What does jazz have to do with Jerusalem? Especially the Jerusalem that Jesus entered for the last week of his life? That's the topic explored in this episode. Our co-hosts discuss the moods and senstitivities for a week of struggle and pain. They share live clips from the Presbybop Quartet as the band interpreted the passion of Jesus in a Good Friday jazz vespers at a large church near Philadelphia. They also offer a musical depiction of a Bible story in collaboration with Dennis Dewey, renowned biblical storyteller.

Featured music: "The Last Word" (live version) from Psalms without Words, "Who's on Trial?" from John According to Jazz, "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" (unreleased), and "Arimathea" (unreleased). Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)

Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
Announcer: Chris Norton
(c) Presbybop Music

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In this episode, our co-hosts explore some of the themes from Thriving on a Riff: Jazz and the Spiritual Life, Bill Carter's new book. They chat about creativity, the power of suffering, and the hard work of spiritual formation in jazz and faith. Along the way, they share a bit of music.

Be sure to check out Thriving on a Riff. You can find out more online at https://presbybop.com/thriving-on-a-riff. Read a sample chapter or two, Watch a video. Find the project blog (with links to more videos). And you can order your own copy when it is released on April 23, 2024.

Music in this episode:

• "Bill's New Song," recorded on Psalms Without Words, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet. © Presbybop Music (BMI). Used by permission.
• "Let Them Go, Set Them Free," recorded on Interior Window, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet. © Presbybop Music (BMI). Used by permission.

Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet. © Presbybop Music.
Music used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)
Announcer: Chris Norton

Support the show