Bill Carter and Presbybop Music

Jeff asked Bill, "Is composing a new book like composing a jazz tune?" What follows is a lively conversation about writing Thriving on a Riff: Jazz and the Spiritual Life. How was the book put together? What was the process? How is the composition of the book an expression of creativity? Be sure to give this episode a listen.

And if you are so inclined, contact our preferred bookseller and get your copy of the book by clicking here.

Music on this episode:

• “Refracted Light” by Bill Carter, recorded on Interior Window by Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet. Used by permission. © 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

© Presbybop Music.

This episode continues our lively conversation with pianist Bill Mays. We explore his writing (and sometimes, his lack of “writing”) for the jazz trio. Bill shares some of the ways that he cultivates creativity in his life and tells us about his book of musical stories. Then the conversation moves from the podcast studio to the performing stage, as co-host Bill Carter asks the Mays Trio to tell us what it’s like to make music together. Between all the talking, we share excerpts of a live trio performance of the Mays tune, “Sun of the East.”  

Music in this episode:

• “Sun of the East,” composed by Bill Mays © No Blooze Music, recorded live in performance and used by permission. All rights reserved. Bill’s music is available at www.billmays.net.
• We recommend Bill’s book, Stories of the Road, the Studios, Sidemen, and the Singers, also available on www.billmays.net.
• Interested in hearing Bill’s two-hour show on “A Brief History of Jazz”? You can enjoy it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZCWXXNYzgg

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

© Presbybop Music.

We welcome pianist Bill Mays in the first of two episodes. He moves easily between the jazz and classical spheres as a composer, arranger, performer, and recording artist. Bill tells us about his artistic development, his experience performing with jazz stars, and the inspiration behind his music. He also shares two of his winsome tunes. Bill will return in Episode 35.

 Music in this episode:

• “Whistling Pastor” composed by Bill Mays © No Blooze Music, used by permission. All rights reserved.
• “Snow Job” composed by Bill Mays © No Blooze Music, used by permission. All rights reserved.

Both tunes recorded on “Mays Plays Mays.” Available at www.billmays.net.

 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

© Presbybop Music.

Jazz performances are different every single time! Even if forty percent of the music (or more) is written down, each fresh performance varies. Bill and Jeff explore this curious aspect of jazz as they listen to studio and live recordings of two tunes recorded by the Presbybop Quartet: “Welcome Home” and “Streams of Mercy.” 

“Welcome Home” has been recorded on the “Fragile Incarnation” and “Welcome Home” CDs. “Streams of Mercy” appears on the “Interior Window” CD. Both recordings © Presbybop Music (BMI). Used by permission. Archival copies of live performances © Presbybop Music (BMI). 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

© Presbybop Music.

We welcome bassist David Chevan and pianist Warren Byrd. As co-founders of the Afro-Semitic Experience, they have created a dynamic ensemble rooted in the holy work of liberation. Whether they are updating African American spirituals, rearranging Jewish songs, or creating new music of their own, they will model what it means for jazz to address the work of justice. This show coincides with the long-awaited release of their album, “Our Feet Began to Pray.” Be sure to check it out at https://afrosemiticexperience.net/

Warren and David have given us permission to include two cuts from the album on our podcast:

• “Unity in the Community” 
• “My Feet Began to Pray” 

© The Afro-Semitic Experience. Music used by permission. Order the album at the link above!

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

© Presbybop Music.

At the beginning of a new year, Jeff and Bill discuss their big projects. CLASSIC VINYL JAZZ is Jeff’s new radio show on the internet. He loves going through the LPs in his attic and sharing them with a new generation. The show broadcasts on Friday nights from 9 to 10 p.m. eastern on WBDY-LP and repeated on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m. eastern (link below).

Bill unveils his book project, THRIVING ON A RIFF: JAZZ AND THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. It will be published on Broadleaf Books on April 23, 2024. We will be hearing more about the book.

To tune in to Jeff’s radio show, go to https://www.bundymuseum.org/wbdy.

To learn more about Bill’s book, go to https://presbybop.com/thriving-on-a-riff

Music in this episode: “Haunted Landscape,” Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quintet, from “Psalms Without Words.” 

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

© Presbybop Music.

In this special Christmas episode, Jeff Kellam tracks down Bill Carter on the Presbybop Quintet International Tour of New England. You will get a behind-the-scenes introduction to the music and good humor of a working jazz group. The band was performing holiday music to enthusiastic audiences, and clips of rehearsal and performance music fill the podcast. We are grateful to the following venues: 

• Family Promise of Greater Concord, NH
• Wolfeboro Friends of Music, Wolfeboro, NH
• The First Baptist Church in America, Providence, RI
• Schorr Family Firehouse Stage, Johnson City, NY

All music in the public domain, arranged and performed live by the Presbybop Quintet. 
Music clips include:

• “Angels We Have Heard on High”
• “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
• “I Wonder as I Wander”
• “What Child Is This”
• “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

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

© Presbybop Music.

On this episode, Jeff and Bill have a conversation with Chris Norton, senior vice president of WVIA-FM and a longtime friend of Presbybop Music. They discuss the current scene in jazz radio and the unique resource that radio has always been for creative music. Chris introduces us to Chiaroscuro jazz label, now owned by WVIA, and available online as a media stream. All three of them pay homage to George Graham, the legendary radio host and engineer at WVIA.

Featured links:

To listen to WVIA-FM: https://www.wvia.org/ 

To connect with Chiaroscuro or listen online: https://chiaroscurojazz.org/

To learn more about George Graham: https://georgegraham.com/

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