No More Gospel Jazz?

OK, somebody help me out. I've gotten some negative feedback from several unrelated sources in the past few weeks about the term "Gospel Jazz". One older musician scoffed that it was unnecessary and "commercial". A prominent gospel artist remarked that the term was limiting from a marketing standpoint, because, "...it puts [an artist] in this weird, funky place where no one knows what to do with you." Tell me about it. He went on to say that I shouldn't feel so "conflicted". Anyone who knows me would've told him that I'm not conflicted at all. I still listen to and appreciate all types of music. I'm just going where I'm being led in this season.

I may be suffering from delusions of grandeur, but I believe one of the mandates of my little ministry is to help tear down the barriers to "Gospel Jazz" that exist in the church and the marketplace. Nevertheless, I am not wedded to the term "Gospel Jazz" at the expense of the TRUE calling, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that "Gospel Jazz" can reach some folks who are in a headspace where more traditional forms of Christian music cannot go. Quietly, I'm really not that concerned with how people label my music, but I had to call it something. And "Gospel Jazz" seemed to fit because it describes in a nutshell where I'm coming from, stylistically speaking.

What do you think? I'd really like to hear your opinion about the term "Gospel Jazz". Should we call it something else? Should we continue to fight for greater exposure and more recognition, or should we simply follow the path of least resistance? I'm praying on it. Meanwhile, I just do what I do.

An unexpected Blessing

My friend Nolan Williams text me on Friday evening and wanted me to call him ASAP. He's the artistic director of How Sweet the Sound-Gospel in America, a week long gospel music series at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. It turns out that he needed a sax player for the Sunday concert. I told him I would do it. The musical director sent me the song, an overture which would have me playing the melody to "My Tribute" by Andre Crouch.

I arrived at the rehearsal expecting to be in a band pit. The band was onstage. They pointed to a microphone front center stage and said, "you'll be here." I expected, and was perfectly content to be in the background, but God fixed it so I played my melody on center stage. The concert featured Pastor Shirley Caesar, Take6, Kirk Franklin and Edwin Hawkins. I had met Mr. Hawkins twelve years ago and told him I was doing a CD. He gave me his address and told me to send him one. He couldn't have remembered that exchange, but as I walked past he spoke and complemented my playing. I told him that we had met years earlier, and put a CD in his hand, which he graciously accepted.

"Be ye also ready", because you just never know. Your next blessing could be right around the corner.

Kirk Whalum and I Finally Meet

Last night the reigning 'king' of Gospel Jazz saxophone, Mr. Kirk Whalum was in DC to promote his latest release, The Gospel According to Jazz, Part III. They played the DVD on big screen, Kirk played several a'capella selections on tenor and soprano, and took a few questions. I missed him when he recorded the project at Reid Temple. He was also at my home church, Metropolitan Baptist a while back, but I was in New York that weekend.

Kirk and I have much in common: he shared how he has wrestled with the call on his life, and that it wasn't a traditional calling. Real familiar. He also shared his love for the Word, John Coltrane, and the fact that Gospel Jazz may reach people that more traditional forms of church music can't. Even our affiliation with John Stoddart, who played and produced on my first project.

I was struck by the heartfelt simplicity of his words, and the warmth and expressiveness in his playing. Also in attendance were several other Gospel Jazz saxophonists, including my friend Merlon Devine. We agree that we as Gospel Jazz artists and supporters must come together to advance this music, to the glory of the Most High, and to show the industry that there can be more than one or two Gospel Jazz artists getting airplay and pub at one time! Kirk has definitely inspired me to keep pressing on, despite financial challenges, personal issues, and all of the other stumbling blocks the Enemy puts in our path.

I'm looking forward to my engagement at Gospel Rescue Ministries tonight. I was there several weeks ago and they've invited me back. What a blessing! I'm excited about forging a solid relationship with this powerful ministry, and getting some things done!

Handle Your Business

I woke up early today, meditated and left home at first light to drop off a key for a property we're trying to sell. My sons' schools have been delayed all week because of the snow. My youngest has been out of school for two weeks, and has become quite proficient on thomasandfriends.com. I've enjoyed the break, but I'll be glad to get back to the normal routine.

At my church the theme for Lent is, '40 Days of Healing'. The congregation is in a season of transition. Plans for a new sanctuary have stalled due to the economy, and we're worshipping in a temporary location. Individually many are feeling the effects of the economy. Financial pressures have place added strain on many marriages and families. I'd be lying if I denied the impact that challenging times have had even in my own household. But we know that God blesses struggle. It's in vogue to come off so hyperspiritual that the realities of the world we have to live in have no impact on the life of a 'true' beliver. A 'King's Kid' should have everything fall into her lap with a shout and a dance. A product of the biblically unsustainable prosperity 'theology'. All i have to say to that is, 'Get real!' Even if you're not being impacted personally, where's your sense of compassion for those who are going through?

Anyway, the theme is '40 Days of Healing.' We're studying the book Life's Healing Choices by John Baker. Truly there is a need for healing in the Body. I certainly see the need in my life. As I go through the daily devotions, there's a theme of 'we are powerless over our lives'. It leads me to think about the balance between the call to submission and the call to personal agency. In other words, God wants us to surrender and rely on Him, but God also wants us to handle our business! Even while we look to God to meet our every need, we also ask for strength to be productive, to His ultimate glory.

That said, if you're seeking healing, deliverance, growth, etc, you have to be an active participant in the process. What's going on in your inner being that YOU need to address? How do you respond to God's invitation to be a co-laborer as you 'work out your soul salvation...'? Self reliance can be (and often is) taken to an ungodly extreme, but you've still got to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty if you want God to work a change in your life. Pray for discernment to know what is your responsibility, and what is God's.

The Song of Songs

I played a Valentine's Day dinner at a local church. After dinner the pastor delivered a sermonette from Song of Solomon. While I'm familiar with the book and have even studied it a bit, he broke the text down in a way I've never experienced before. He pointedly illustrated the raw sensuality and power in the text, and kept it light enough to encourage some laughter. By his own admission it was not a 'Sunday morning sermon'. He very effectively made the point that this was an illustration of God's design for marital intimacy. Despite puritanical efforts to recast the Song of Solomon as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the church, this poem was originally written about a man and his bride, gettin it on! In ancient times, Hebrew scholars weren't even allowed to read it until they had reached a certain level of maturity.

So often in this culture we get the message that sex in marriage is boring, mundane, even a chore. If you're keeping your vows, you're missing out on something. In reality, the way God designed it, married folks should be getting the best of it. The physical as well as a deep emotional and spiritual bonding that can't be replicated elsewhere. That stayed with me. Even though it seems so obvious, it's good to get a reminder now and then. I will never look at Song of Solomon the same. Happy belated Valentines Day.

Back from LA

I spent the weekend celebrating the installation of my First Cousin, Rev. Seth W. Pickens, as Pastor of the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Los Angeles CA. It's a warm congregation that's excited about Seth's fresh leadership. The church building has lots of classrooms, a large fellowship hall/gymnasium/auditorium. There's a lot he can do with the facility he now oversees.

I played two selections at the morning worship, and the Spirit moved. Everytime I do what I do I reconnect with my purpose. Actually I wasn't too excited about making this trip. I was happy to support my cousin but I had the feeling I wouldn't like LA, based on things I'd heard. Not to mention the expenditure of time, mental energy and capital required to make the trip. It's a challenge getting there sometimes, as my uncle, cousin (Seth's brother, also a pastor and speaker for the morning) and I looped around West LA and Englewood looking for the church on Sunday morning. But once I arrive I'm free to do what I do. And it's the greatest feeling in the world. The trip also gave me some time to reflect, as I continue to grow in my thinking about music from 'career' to ministry. I'm glad I made the sacrifice.

For the record LA wasn't bad, and I look forward to sharing with the Zion Hill family again. But I didn't see anything to make me leave the East Coast.

Purpose

I've wondered lately whether my "muse" has departed. I'm just not as focused on music as I should be. My wife an I have started a home-based business that has nothing to do with music. It's doing well, and I'm really enjoying it. Working from home, helping people create healthier homes and lifestyles. Partnering with others to create additional income streams in these rocky times. It's all good.

I've put music on the backburner for the remainder of this calendar year to get the business up to speed. For years I struggled with the unfulfilled desire to be a "full time" musician, working in corporate and government contracting. It all hit a wall some years ago. I couldn't keep faking like I was the corporate type anymore. But music wasn't coming anywhere close to paying the bills either.

For a long time I viewed it as a failure. I thought I was a failure. I had to go into treatment for depression over it. It was as if every aspect of my life had been pushed to the edge of a cliff, and it was all about to go over the brink.

I am finally finding a place of peace and balance with it all. We are given multi-fold ministries in life. The care and rearing of children paramount among these. The vision is for our business to get to the point that it covers my family's financial needs, freeing my wife and me to pursue our purpose (Mat. 6:33). The reason we were given the gift of life, and the reason we were brought together: to make a difference. To make an impact. I've been watching Black in America 2 on CNN. It reminds us that there is so much work to be done, and there are people who are getting out an doing it. So I'm moving forward in this season of preparation, thankful for provision and purpose.