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Ike Sturm: JazzMass
By
John Coltrane
saxophone1926 - 1967
Sturm, graduate of the Eastman School of Music and protégé of Dave Holland, is the music director for the jazz ministry at Saint Peter's Church in Manhattan. He was commissioned to compose and produce this music by St. Peter's, where a weekly jazz vespers service is held.
Without a doubt a labor of love, the recording features an all-star cast of jazz musicians including saxophonists
Donny McCaslin
saxophone, tenorb.1966

Loren Stillman
saxophone, altob.1980

Ingrid Jensen
trumpetb.1966

Ted Poor
drumsFor jazz listeners the intersection of a choir, strings and a jazz septet is perplexing. If not for Sturm's arrangement, that may be true; but when McCaslin's tenor saxophone takes flight over the raised voices of the choir praising God, the fit feels natural. This is not jazz plus strings as much as it is a unified concept, as if this church's roof is big enough to fit the many sounds invited into this Mass.
After Sturm's solo bass "Interlude," Misty Ann Sturm is backed by the jazz septet on "Just As I Am"; McCaslin responding with Coltrane-like flights of notes before the hushed vocalist returns, accompanied by strings. Guitarist Ryan Ferreira supplies the supernatural voice behind "Offering: Stillness," a wordless vocal piece that champions a tender and sympathetic mood, and he flavors the improvised Thanksgiving" with more ethereal and exquisite notes. The music ends with "Hymn: Shine" an uplifting folk/spiritual piece that is a perfect blues processional, allowing the anointed to go forth into the world thinking peaceful and engaged thoughts.
Track Listing
Kyrie; Gloria; Interlude; Hymn: Just As I Am; Offertory: Stillness; Santus; Thanksgiving; Our Father; Agnus Dei; Hymn: Shine.
Personnel
Ike Sturm
bassMisty Ann Sturm: voice; Loren Stillman: alto saxophone; Donny McCaslin: tenor saxophone; Ingrid Jensen: trumpet, flugelhorn; Adam Benjamin: piano, Rhodes piano; Ryan Ferreira: guitar; Ike Sturm: basses; Ted Poor: drums; Tim Albright: trombone; Sara Caswell: violin; Madeline Sturm: clarinet; Sarah Brailey: soprano; Janet Planet: soprano; Abigayl Venman: soprano; Brenda Earle: alto; Sarah Lynch: alto; Melissa Stylianou: alto; Anna Williams: alto; Charlie Christenson: tenor; Scott Murphree: tenor; John Young: tenor; Roosevelt Andre Credit: baritone; Clay Greeberg: baritone; Mark Sullivan: baritone; Sara Caswell: violin I; Caleb Burhans: violin I; Courtney Orlando: violin I; Amie Weiss: violin II; Laura Arpiainen: violin II; Sharon Gunderson: violin II; Corrina Albright: viola; Beth Myers: viola; Maria jeffers: cello; Jody Redhage: cello.
Album information
Title: JazzMass | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Self Produced
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