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

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

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

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

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

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 Hear” (Stand On Your Head). All music composed by Bill Carter © Presbybop Music (BMI) and used by permission.

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.

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. 

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/

Jeff Kellam and Bill Carter introduce the 12th recording of the Presbybop Quintet. It's called "Brand New Day." This collection of fresh jazz performances is guaranteed to improve the quality of your life!

To see the video that accompanies this podcast, click here.

To hear samples of the album or download it, click here.

Here is a live episode! Bill and Jeff meet at the Riverow Bookshop in Owego, NY to have a conversation about Bill’s recent book, Thriving on a Riff: Jazz and the Spiritual Life. They have discussed the book in previous episodes but are still digging up fresh soil. Thanks to Riverow Bookshop for hosting this event. Learn more about Riverow Bookshop by clicking here.

Music may come from the imagination – but there must be funding if anyone is ever going to hear it. Bill and Jeff have an honest conversation about the money that makes music heard. They discuss the importance of creating a community of supporters who support the music-making, especially for the recordings of Presbybop Music. A special shout-out to Fractured Atlas, our fiscal sponsor. They make donations possible for our work.

Jeff and Bill return to talk about the art of composition. Where do composers find the inspiration for their music. Jeff asks, Bill ponders. Along the way, we hear a couple of clips from Bill’s new compositions. 

Jeff and Bill are back to discuss Bill’s memory of the “top five” jazz concerts he attended. As the banter back and forth, they share brief snippets of amazing musicians that have shaped Bill’s musical imagination.

Today, we offer a quick recap of an annual jazz worship service in Clarks Summit, PA. Co-host Bill Carter is the longtime pastor of First Presbyterian Church – and its resident jazz musician. With very little encouragement from Jeff Kellam, Bill shares a recording of his sermon for that service. Brazilian music was featured, so it’s a good opportunity to reflect on the multicultural nature of jazz. It’s also a good opportunity to make more room for others 

Season Three begins with a burst! After a couple of minutes of catching up, Jeff Kellam shares an interview with Dante Di Stefano. He’s a brilliant poet and educator with a love for John Coltrane’s music. Let’s listen to what he has to say.

We are grateful to the Broome County of Churches, who have facilitated Jeff’s interview with their “Encounter” show on WBNG-TV. 

Our two co-hosts talk about bringing jazz into a worship service. How and where does it fit? Bill Carter has been doing this for decades, so he shares some musical examples. 

Music in this episode: “Sabbath Song,” “Pass the Plate,” by Bill Carter and used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI). “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” arranged by Bill Carter. Previously unrecorded.

In this musical episode, Bill Carter and Jeff Kellam discuss the development (or redevelopment) of old material, musical or otherwise. Bill introduces a suite of four tunes originally composed for a 2001 concert at Binghamton (NY) University. He has recently revised and updated them for a jazz sextet, and we hear the second “premiere” of the music. Enjoy – there’s a lot of music.

Music in this episode: “Suite SUNY” by Bill Carter and used by permission from Presbybop Music (BMI)

Previously unrecorded.

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.