As a New Year begins, Bill and Jeff share a moment from the road. The Presbybop Quartet was invited to play in worship recently at First Presbyterian Church of Greensburg, PA. The pastor also invited Bill to preach the sermon. Bill took the opportunity to preach on the power of music. His sermon is titled, “Upstaging the Preachers,” based on 2 Chronicles 5:5-14. Happy New Year!

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 Christmas episode, Jeff and Bill have a conversation about incarnation. That’s a ten-cent word that points to the mystery of the ineffable taking flesh. If Christmas reveals that God loves us by sending love in the birth of the child Jesus, this signals that our love must take tangible form. Yet, there’s a risk, right? Whenever we love, there is the risk that it won’t be received. And jazz musicians know all about taking risks! Give this one a listen. Merry Christmas, everybody.

Music: “I Wonder When I Wander” and “He is Born” from Jazz Noel, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Christmas Eve Band. Recorded live, December 2012, in the WVIA Studios, Pittston PA. Used by permission of 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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The co-hosts return to one of their favorite conversation partners: Derrick Bang, author of Vince Guaraldi at the Piano (second edition). They have a fresh conversation about Guaraldi and his work of creating a jazz mass in 1965 at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Check out his wonderful book!

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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We are happy to welcome you to another season of The Spirit of Jazz. Jeff and Bill reconnect, catch up, and hint at some upcoming shows. To celebrate the season, we dig into the Presbybop Music archives to let you hear an exciting octet version of “Dancing Girl,” recorded live at the Firehouse Stage.

Music in this episode: “Dancing Girl,” composed by Bill Carter © Presbybop Music (BMI) and used by permission.

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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Season Three concludes with a conversation with Michael Carbone, an extraordinary saxophonist and good friend. Mike discusses his growth as a musician, his versatile career, and his current pursuits. It is a great conversation and a worthy conclusion for this season.

Music includes Mike’s solos on “Angels We Have Heard on High” (Fragile Incarnation) and “Stand On Your Head” (Stand On Your Head). All music composed by Bill Carter © Presbybop Music (BMI) and used by permission.

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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Jeff said, “Let’s talk about Jazz for the Earth.” That fabulous CD project is now ten years young, and must not be neglected. The centerpiece of the album is “Beyond Banff,” a multi-composition suite of Bill Carter’s compositions to focus on our relationship with the natural world. The album features saxophonist Dave Liebman as guest soloist. Liebman is a National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master. He was in good company.

All music from Jazz for the Earth, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Sextet.

Tunes include: “Peyto Lake,” “Awestruck,” “Up From Bow River,” “A View from the Summit,” “Elegy,” and “Dance 24.” All music composed by Bill Carter © Presbybop Music (BMI) and used by permission.

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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Meet our friend Kent Heckman. The proprietor of Red Rock Studio in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, Kent is a renowned audio engineer. His client list reads like a “Who’s Who” of the jazz world, including saxophonist Phil Woods, composer Bob Dorough, drummer Sherrie Maricle, and pianist Keith Jarrett. Our co-hosts enjoy a lively conversation with Kent, who shares stories from his career including the eclectic singer Nellie McKay, the Canadian folk group The Wailin’ Jennys, and a live date with Jarrett.

Be sure to check out Kent’s work on the Jennys’ award-winning album, Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, as well as Keith Jarrett’s two live CDs recorded at the Deer Head Inn on ECM records.

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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We welcome the immensely talented Warren Cooper to our podcast. Warren is a jazz vocalist, a recording artist, and an advocate for peace and justice. A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, he counts the city’s finest jazz musicians as his colleagues and friends. Warren tells us about his latest projects, including a reboot of the classic tune, “Take Five” to counter gun violence. Check this out.

Music: “Take Five: Stop the Violence,” available online at https://take5stoptheviolence.com/ Used by permission of Warren Cooper.

Music: “Welcome Home” from Welcome Home, Bill Carter and Warren Cooper
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

Support the show