Bill Carter and The Presbybop Quartet: CDs / Sheet Music
Interior Window - CD
Our latest CD explores the spiritual power of music. We have put together a new suite of tunes that are equally evocative and provocative. "This is music for the sake of contemplation," declares composer Bill Carter, "but there is nothing boring or repetitive about it. You might say it's our jazz rebuttal to New Age music. Jazz like this will not let anybody withdraw to some imaginary cloud. Rather will drive us to live with more purpose and joy. This is jazz to nourish the soul."
Psalms Without Words - Double CD
Drawing inspiration from the majestic red rock formations of New Mexico and the mystical Hebrides Islands of Scotland, jazz pianist and composer Bill Carter has written twenty-two new compositions. The tracks on his newly-released two-CD set are in fact instrumental jazz interpretations of several ancient psalms from the Hebrew Scriptures, played by Carter and the immensely talented Presbybop Quartet.
Listening for Selah: Psalms Without Words Live - DVD
Our first DVD features a complete set from the 2008 Scranton Jazz Festival, with full performances of eight tunes. The outstanding band includes pianist and composer Bill Carter, Jeff Stockham on trumpet and French horn, Michael Carbone on saxophones, Tony Marino on bass, and Tom Whaley on drums. Also includes a homemade documentary on "The Making of Psalms Without Words."Welcome Home - CD
A swinging collaboration between Bill Carter, the Presbybop Quartet, and vocalist Warren Cooper. Includes eleven great jazz performances, as Bill and Warren re-interpret some of the spirituals and songs of the church. Don't miss the beautiful title cut, "Welcome Home."John According to Jazz - CD
A tuneful presentation of the Gospel of John, with renowned storyteller Dennis Dewey. Bill and the band "accompany" the story as Dennis tells it live in the studio. The Bible is brought alive by these five creative artists!Stand On Your Head - CD
"A versatile and tasteful pianist, Bill Carter especially shows his strength as a composer on this CD. Using a wide variety of jazz styles as starting points, Carter creates ten appealing compositions (and a fascinating arrangement of a familiar tune) with the appealing melodic lines that are often shortchanged in many pure jazz compositions." (from George Graham's liner notes)Fragile Incarnation - CD
We have been calling this "the Christmas album," but our hope is that you will enjoy it all year long. Like other artists, our quartet has attempted to touch intangible truths that forms. We give the tunes our spin - with enthusiasm, reverence, and joy - always hoping to glimpse the Mystery that first brought them to birth.Dancing Day - CD
"Dancing Day" is an album that will draw in listeners again and again. Whether it's the lyrical piano improvisations of the leader, the surging energy of sax, bass, and drums, or the interplay between four talented musicians, "Dancing Day" is guaranteed to improve your day.Faith in a New Key - CD
This ground-breaking CD includes ten jazz tunes, interspersed with theological reflections on the meaning of jazz. The project originated in a presentation at Princeton's Institute of Theology. A one-of-a-kind recording, especially for anybody who wants to explore the connections between swinging music and the life of faith.Swing a New Song to the Lord: Resources for Jazz Worship - (E-Book - PDF File)
This fabulous jazz “hymnal” is only available here, as a PDF file. The 173-page e-book includes nearly sixty settings of music. Included are twenty-six jazz settings of public domain hymns, ten psalm settings, nine additional worship songs, and fourteen pieces of worship music. Also included are a few sample jazz worship services, some musical prayers, and a few surprises. Those who purchase the e-book are given permission for one-time duplication of all the material for worship services, churches, and religious gatherings.
The price of the book is $45. It is instantly available through the link below. The link will send you to our order site, where you will be asked for a credit card number or a PayPal account.
If you prefer to order by check, please send a check for $45 to Presbybop Music, 152 Edgewood Drive, South Abington Township, PA. 18411. Please include an e-mail address where we may contact you with the download information. If you wish to have the e-book sent on a CD-R, include $5 for postage and materials and specify where you prefer to have it sent.
For a PDF listing of the Table of Contents, click here.
PLEASE NOTE - The book is only available currently as an electronic PDF file.
Songbook - Psalms Without Words - (E-Book - PDF File)
This is the songbook for the Psalms Without Words project, which resulted in our recent double CD. 31 tunes (more than we recorded!), over 100 pages -- as played on our album! Format: PDF file, instantly available. Cost: $20
Songbook - Interior Window - (E-Book - PDF File)
Here is the songbook for Interior Window, an astonishing CD from Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet. Including the actual sheet music of the twelve tunes from the album, it also includes the stirring free verse poems that Bill wrote to introduce each song. 38 pages. Cost: $10
"Welcome Home" - Sheet Music
One of the signature tunes by Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet is now available online as a PDF file. Sheet music immediately available. Cost: $5.00
"A Canticle of Love" - Sheet Music
The sheet music for our setting of 1 Corinthians 13. As recorded on "Faith in a New Key." The sheet music also appears in "Swing a New Song to the Lord." Cost: $5.00
"Prayer of Confession" - Sheet Music
One of Bill's original compositions for jazz worship, this is scored for SATB choir. Based on an F minor blues. Cost: $2.00.
Jazz in the Pulpit: Biblical Reflections on the Syncopated Art - (E-Book - PDF File)
Jazz in the Pulpit: Biblical Reflections on the Syncopated Art. Nearly twenty years in the making, the new book features nineteen sermons and three major speeches, all of them exploring the intersections between jazz and the Christian faith. 105 pages. Cost: $10