Bill Carter and Presbybop Music

Want to welcome jazz musicians into a faith community? Dr. Brian Fraser offers deep insight after working with over two hundred jazz musicians in the Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Burnaby, British Columbia. For Brian, it boils down to respect – offering a non-judgmental welcome and an open-hearted appreciation for what creative musicians can bring into a community. Our co-hosts continue to discuss with him how a group of people can thrive together. He draws upon his new book, What the Church Might Learn from Jazz: Drawn into the Swing of Sanctifying Significance (Resource Publications, 2026.

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

Imagine if a church thought like a jazz group! That’s the premise of Brian Fraser, a thinker and pastor in British Columbia. In the first of two conversations, our co-hosts talk with him about the dynamics of sideways leadership, where all group members bring their gifts and abilities to the moment with equality and creativity. It’s a refreshing perspective, and suggests how a thriving community would flourish. Dr. Fraser  discusses the origin of his new book, What the Church Might Learn from Jazz: Drawn into the Swing of Sanctifying Significance (Resource Publications, 2026). The conversation was so rich that we are extending it into the next episode.

Music: “Another Unnamed blues” from the album, “This Is for Albert” by Bill Carter and the Blue Note Jazztet. Used by permission from 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

We are glad to welcome you to a new season. Our co-hosts catch up with one another. Jeff has been creating a weekly internet radio show. Classic Vinyl Jazz broadcasts each Sunday at 7:00 p.m. eastern on https://dmvjazz.com. Bill dishes on his new band, the Blue Note Jazztet, and shares the big news: he will retire as a pastor in April 2027 and devote more time to making music. They discuss their plans for upcoming shows. It’s going to be another extraordinary season. 

Music: “unnamed blues,” From the album, “This Is for Albert” by Bill Carter and the Blue Note Jazztet. Used by permission from 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

We wind up Season 4 with a celebration of the 100^th birthday of trumpeter Miles Davis. What prompted this episode? A phone call from the BBC to interview Bill Carter on the “spiritual dimensions of the music of Miles Davis.” Bill recounts three themes from that conversation: ceaseless creativity, the ability to process pain, and the possibility of building community. 

Music: “Kit and Kaboodle,” composition by Bill Carter, trumpet solo by Jeff Stockham. From the album, Stand on Your Head” by Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet. Used by permission from 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

As we continue to talk with trombonist Steve Davis, we ask about some of the people that he’s performed with: Chick Corea, Jimmy Heath, Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, and pianist Harold Mabern, Jr. It’s quite a list, and Steve offers insight into each of these great musicians. He also offers a few tips for young musicians. What’s at the top of the list? “Be a good human being.” We conclude the show with Steve playing one of his tunes live in concert.

Music: “Daylight,” composition and solo by Steve Davis. From the album, Young Lions of Jazz, recorded live at the Firehouse Stage, Johnson City, NY, December 27, 2014. Used by permission of the composer.

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

It is a privilege to talk with some wonderful musicians. Today we speak with Steve Davis, one of the world’s great trombonists. Jeff met him on a jazz cruise over the winter, and Bill played music with him at a mutual friend’s party. Steve tells us about growing up in Binghamton, New York, and discovering jazz when his father took him to a concert with world-class musicians. Ever since, he has stretched for the stars – and played with many of them. Steve discusses his musical growth, his influences, and the power of good mentors. He also dishes on a recording session where he forgot to bring his horn.

It’s a great conversation and we will continue it in another episode.

Music: “Groove’s Grove,” trombone solo by Steve Davis. Music used by permission from Mr. Davis.

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

A biblical storyteller and a jazz pianist walk into a bar – and a new recording project was born. That’s the origin of John According to Jazz, a unique Presbybop Music project from many years ago. Our hosts invited Dennis Dewey to reminisce about that fateful winter night in Grand Rapids when he and Bill Carter dreamed up a way to connect jazz with the Bible. Generous samples of the music are included for this very special episode which we have released for the season of Lent. 

Music: “Called into Mystery,” “New Wine in Cana,” “Who’s on Trial,” and “Lazarus Rising,” from John According to Jazz. Music used by permission from 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

There is a new band forming: the Blue Note Jazztet. It’s a consort of favorite musicians in the Presbybop Music family who will present concerts in the hard bop tradition of Blue Note records. Jeff Kellam gets the run down from pianist and bandleader Bill Carter. We discover the idea has been perking for over twenty years – and we have the receipts to prove it. Listen in as they discuss the formation of a new ensemble. Two old musical pieces emerge from the Presbybop archives to illustrate the tradition – and the future – of the music. 

Music: “I Heard the News” from Stand on Your Head, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
“The Gate is Narrow, the Road is Hard,” (recorded live 2001) and recorded again on Stand on Your Head,

Music used by permission from 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

As Bill gets ready to hit the road again, he leaves behind a recording of a sermon offered at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, George. Wary of a sermon? Don’t despair. He’s speaking about music and the creativity that can bring it alive. It’s a message for all seasons. And then, we have a taste of the Presbybop Quartet delivering the old hymn, “Amazing Grace,” in a fresh and vital way. 

Music: “Amazing Grace”  from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet
Music used by permission from 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

There are many underappreciated jazz musicians. Bill and Jeff have a conversation with Dr. Deanna Witkowski about Eddie Bonnemere, a brilliant composer and jazz musician. Eddie wrote a significant amount of sacred music that swung hard and lifted the spirits of church folks in New York and beyond. Deanna shares his story. 

We invite you to give a listen to Eddie’s “Mass for Every Season,” which you can enjoy on YouTube. 

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