Scranton Times-Tribune reports on our 25 annual jazz communion 

The Rev. Bill Carter filled in for the organist 25 years ago during the Labor Day Sunday service. A trained jazz musician, he thought he’d try something new.

To his delight and surprise, curious newcomers and news crews with cameras who’d heard about the jazz-playing preacher filled First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit that morning.

On Sunday, his band, now called Presbybop, marked a quarter-century since he first introduced the Jazz Communion Service at the church on School Street, where church…

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Interview on WVIA for the 25th jazz communion 

 

The Rev. Bill Carter, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, jazz pianist, and leader of the Presbybop Jazz Sextet, talks about the 25th Annual Jazz Communion Service at 10 a.m. Sept. 4 at the church, located at 300 School St., Clarks Summit. It will feature music of composer Charles Mingus.

Click here to listen. 

Jazz for the Earth CD 

Jazz for the Earth is our new CD by Bill Carter and the Presbybop Sextet. This stirring new album features the "Beyond Banff" suite, a six-movement major work written by Bill Carter. We are thrilled to welcome David Liebman, NEA Jazz Master, as our guest soloist. Two CD release concerts are listed in our calendar. You can listen to the recording in its entirety at https://presbybop.bandcamp.com/

 

A wonderful piece of fan mail 

Just a note to Bill & the 3 other musicians who played the Good Friday service at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (April 3). My husband and I were there and it was just wonderful. So reflective, so God honoring. We loved your music. It set the mood for meaningful meditation after each reading. And, the woman who sang, Were you There was just elegant and moving.   Thank you so much.
 
Thanks again for blessing us w/your wonderful gifts that glorify God.
Betty

A great review of Jazz Noel 

Review - Jazz Noel

Bill Carter isn’t merely pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit, Penn.; he also has solid piano chops, and since 1999 has fronted a jazz combo during an annual Christmas Eve concert that has become the main event of his 11 p.m. church service. To which I must say, Why can’t any churches in my town get down like this?

 

Fortunately, Carter and his aptly named Presbybop Christmas Eve Band recorded a live performance in 2012, released under the title “Jazz Noel,” so the…

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Singing with Bobby McFerrin 

Bill went off into the hills to do some singing this week - with Bobby McFerrin. The music was totally improvised - and Bill is still trying to make sense of the whole experience without falling off the cloud.

 

What was it like? He reports, "It was like Bobby took a can opener and pulled off the top of my lid, and then filled it with more ideas."

 

Could be dangerous. Wait and see.

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Upcoming Dates

Join us for a free concert at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Fort Myers, FL. It's the Presbybop Quartet, with Mike Carbone on saxophone, Tony Marino on bass, Ron Vincent on drums, and Bill Carter on piano. The band will play some of their favorite tunes, redefine a few of your favorite tunes, and make a lot of joyful noise. And we will return to make more noise at the worship service in the church on Sunday morning (see below).

The Presbybop Quartet will provide music for public worship at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Fort Myers, FL. The band includes with Mike Carbone on saxophone, Tony Marino on bass, Ron Vincent on drums, and Bill Carter on piano. Bill will also be preaching the sermon, which can be heard on the church's website at https://covpcfm.com/covenant/sermons/

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