Every jazz worship service is uniquely tailored to a
particular church's traditions including hymn singing (with jazz accompaniment), readings,
prayer and communion if desired. Often, in lieu of a sermon, Sowash performs hymns and
spirituals on solo piano (or with his jazz trio or quintet) interspersed with
inspirational commentary using inclusive language. Other possibilities include jazz
vespers, collaborations with choirs, readings interspersed with jazz-assisted meditation
periods... The possibilities are endless but the goal is always to create a worship
experience with a music emphasis that is welcoming, participatory and accessible to
all.
"It's hard to imagine why any congregation
wouldn't want to make room for Sowash's music... It swings without being irreverent, it's
reverent without being cloying, and it's moving without being mushy." - Steve
Penhollow, Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN
Whether working solo
or with a trio or quintet, every Sowash concert is an intimate event features hymns,
spirituals, and well-known songs distinctively reinterpreted in a style that has been
described as "very accessible to the non-jazz aficionado." Sowash is
known nationally for his formidable technique instant audience rapport. Listeners are
drawn in by his inspirational tales, faith stories and life experiences woven between
critically acclaimed music that has been heard on National Public Radio and PBS-TV.
I wanted you to know my feet still aren't
on the ground! WOW! It was wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with our
church. The bass and percussion were awesome! I believe your speaking to the audience
really is a touch that makes the difference between listening to music and having
understanding, and insight to the story behind the music. You help the audience become
connected! – Patti, Westlake, OH
A. Guest Speaker
A warm and articulate speaker, Sowash’s motivational topics include Discovering
Your Personal Ministry, How To Organize A Jazz Worship Service, The Role of the Arts in
Worship, America’s Musical Melting Pot and Wherever Two Are Gathered
focusing on alternative worship strategies.
B. Workshops Sowash's hands-on workshops on the liturgical arts, alternative worship
strategies and church musician development make engaging additions to programming for
retreats and gatherings. Participants sing, move, clap, play music, create visual art
and share their ideas.
C. Worship Leader
Working in collaboration with worship planners, Sowash delights in designing and leading
innovative worship services. Attendees leave with new ideas about enhancing their
home worship services including using music beyond the hymnal and new thinking about the
possibilities of visual art.
United Church of Christ Ohio
Conference
D. After Hours Concert:
A concert of jazz hymns and spirituals provides a perfect ending for conference
participants after a busy day of networking.
Why Jazz Belongs In Worship - by Bradley
Sowash (Reprinted from Presbyterians Today, September
2003)
Jazz is multi-cultural and inclusive - Jazz was
born in America when the harmonic and melodically based music of European colonists
blended with African rhythms preserved by slaves. Jazz continues to be enjoyed by people
of diverse backgrounds.
Jazz is indigenous but universal - Jazz is indigenous
to America, unlike the European musical imports featured in much of U.S. Christian
worship. It is also enjoyed worldwide. Similarly, when we gather together to worship
locally, we simultaneously participate in a worldwide Christian body.
Jazz involves cooperation - Each musician both
supports his/her colleagues and work as a soloist. Listeners inspire the music through
their reactions. Church life exemplifies similar cooperation.
Jazz makes for excellent outreach – Many
churches have discovered that a jazz worship service appeals to people whose past
experiences have led them to consider organized religion uninviting, dogmatic, irrelevant
or even repressive.
Jazz is spontaneous - The essence of jazz is
improvisation, spontaneous variations on a given theme. Creativity relies on a connection
to the Spirit. Jazz imitates God's creation - ever evolving.
Jazz has a range - Sometimes meditative,
sometimes celebratory, jazz touches us by speaking directly to a spectrum of emotions.
Louis Armstrong said, "What we play is life." The church year also
reflects this range of experience - from the wonder of Christmas to the reflective Lent
season, and from baptisms to weddings to funerals.
Jazz offers a tradition-based alternative – Most
churches are interested in balancing heritage and contemporary relevance. Jazz renditions
of the remarkable American hymnody we inherited link the past to the present.
Jazz crosses generations – Unlike some
types of music featured in contemporary worship services, jazz appeals to people of all
ages.
Bradley Sowash is one of the foremost
advocates for incorporating jazz music in the worship life of the church. An accomplished
composer, educator, recording artist, and concert jazz pianist, Bradley Sowash has
delighted listeners of all ages in concert halls and churches throughout the United States
and Europe for over two decades. Publications by Sowash include several volumes of jazz
hymn arrangements published by Augsburg Fortress Press and piano music published by the
Neil A. Kjos Music Company.
"I
embrace the search, not certainty. By speaking directly to our emotions, music welcomes
all regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey and I feel blessed when my
music can serve as a catalyst for renewal and growth." - Bradley Sowash
"Why should the devil have all the
good music?" - Martin Luther
"When we open ourselves to our
creativity, we open ourselves to the creator’s creativity within us and our
lives." – Julia Cameron, Author of The Artist’s Way
"The church will die of boredom long
before it dies from controversy." - Bishop John Shelby Spong
"Creativity is . . . seeing something that
doesn’t exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that
way be a playmate with God." – Michele Shea
"The most important function of art and science is
to awaken the cosmic religious feeling and keep it alive." - Albert Einstein
"Artist’s have a way of loosening up a
congregation to create room for the spirit to operate." – Rev. James R.
Adams
"What we play is life." - Louis
Armstrong
"Great improvisors are like priests. They are
thinking only of their god." – jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli
You
were terrific and I enjoyed accompanying you.- The Right Reverend John
Shelby Spong (author/theologian)
Your musicality shines throughout. -
Rev. William Sloane Coffin, (author/theologian)
Your music is wonderful. If I could play piano
how you play is what I would like to do. - John McQuiston (author of Always
We Begin Again)
When a jazz pianist as good as Bradley
Sowash puts his imaginative touch to these songs, it is a genuine sharing
experience. - Jazz Review
One of this country's experts on
jazz ministry. - Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, IN
Ingenious jazz played by an
original master. - Canon Peter Strimer, St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle
Tell them I said
you are the real deal. - The Rev. Cam Miller, Trinity Episcopal, Buffalo, NY
What a wonderful weekend , the
raves keep comming!!!! - Richard (Music Director, Covenant Presbyterian,
Roanoke, VA)
I have received so much positive feedback
from so many different types of people in the congregation that our worship team is now
considering getting funding to make that sort of worship style more the norm than the
exception. - Larry, Lakewood Congregational, OH
Thank you for making the trip to Iowa. All of us at
Lakeside so enjoyed working with you. The congregation was moved by the service. Your
artistry brought new meaning to our worship experience. I personally can’t
wait for more piano books! – Barb, Director of Music, Storm Lake, IA
Thank you so much for playing at our church. I
have gotten nothing but positive comments from everyone. - Darrin,
Music Dir., David's UCC, Dayton, OH
We enjoyed having you here. It was surprising
to us to have an artist who was so personable. - Rev. Marcia Cham,
Union Congregational, East Bridgewater, MA
Your faith is so evident in your music. It
pours out and reaches my spirit like no other music has for a long time. -
Nancy, Minister of Music, Pilgrim Church, Bozeman, MT
Your presence and leadership were profoundly
appreciated and will be long remembered. – Rev. John M. Schaeffer, UCC
Conference Minister, Billings, MT
Your performance was wonderful and I am still
smiling.- First Congregational UCC, Mount Vernon, OH
Your presence in our community for just one day
was a gift and we thank you for inspiring us with your stories, and moving us
with your music. As I am sure you could tell, the spontaneous standing ovation
from the audience indicated their sentiments of joy. – Ann, Trinity UCC,
Wadsworth, OH
It was so obvious that you were truly
enjoying the moment and that joy and love just seemed to spread across the audience. - We
were all entwined with it - and I thought over and over, Yes! This is how it's
supposed to be. - Sally, Sylvania UCC, Toledo
You touch many people through your music,
saying for us to God what may not be possible to articulate. - Laura
(listener)
Thanks again for a wonderful evening. Your
concert brought a buzz that has not yet subsided.- Andy, (Music
Director), Cleveland, OH
Thank you for sharing what gifts God gave
you. Some have the ear and do not hear. Some have the sight and memory and
never put forth the work needed to make it special. We at, Christ Lutheran,
are far richer. - Sheila, Athens, OH
We were really enlivened by your music and your
presentation. We liked you! - Pastor Cathy Stentzel (UCC), North Olmstead,
OH
Your keyboard skills and sensitivity
were a wonderful expression of thanksgiving and praise to God! The way you spoke about your
music made us feel we knew you as one of us. – Rev. John Ferris,
Kilbourne United Methodist
You are a fabulous
gift and I hope those gifts will be picked up by others often. -
Richard A. Wing, Senior Minister, First Community Church (UCC) in Columbus, OH
I want to thank you for
everything you did and all that you brought to us last Sunday at St. Mark's -- the
whole community has been absolutely floating since then... - The Rev.
Katherine Lewis, The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Mark's, Minneapolis, MN
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