The Spirit of Jazz Podcast

Interview with Al Hamme (22:50)

We chat with Al Hamme about the music of “Psalms Without Words.” He shares his perspectives on the music, and its impact on listeners and musicians alike. In a new segment, Bill Carter asks bassist Tony Marino about the “scariest road food” on a Presbybop gig. Music includes “Kristallnacht” and “Forget About Og,” both from the “Psalms Without Words” album.

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The Christmas Show (26:53)

This very special show explores the jazz connection to Christmas. Bill Carter demonstrates how he re-imagines a familiar holiday carol, and resets it for congregational singing and jazz improvisation. Music includes three tunes from our “Fragile Incarnation” album: “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “God Rest Ye, Merry Jazzmen,” and the beautiful “Welcome Home.”

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When You Want to Throw Something at the Band (19:31)

For this episode, here’s a slice of one of the many sermons that Bill Carter has preached about music and its power to affect human life. It’s based on 1 Samuel 18:6-16, a scripture text full of music. Could it be that David strums a song that is too honest for King Saul to handle? That is one of the dangers – and possibilities – of the prophetic power of music.

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Songs for the Soul (22:22)

Jeff Kellam and Bill Carter chat about the psalms of scripture, and how they express the full range of human pain, passion and joy. That’s identical to the power of jazz! To illustrate, they play a number of psalm-based music from the Presbybop songbook. The music includes: “The Babylon Blues” (from Faith in a New Key), “Resignation” (from Dancing Day), “Heartsick” (from Psalms Without Words), and “Everybody Dance” (from Psalms Without Words).

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Sacred, Secular, or Swinging? (15:51)

In our opening episode, meet the co-hosts Jeff Kellam and Bill Carter. They chat about the purpose of the podcast: to explore the intersections of jazz and faith. Bill talks about the members of the Presbybop Quartet, the music that they make, and how he got into the “sacred jazz” scene. Music includes “Be Thou My Vision” (from Faith in a New Key).

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Hi everybody -

Greetings from the Presbybop Porch, development site for our new “The Spirit of Jazz Podcast.” It has been exciting to work on the beginning of this new project. In coming shows, we will explore the places where jazz intersects the life of faith.

Who are we?

Jeff Kellam is a radio broadcaster, jazz lover, and Presbyterian minister.

Bill Carter is a musician, composer, and Presbyterian minister.