In the early days (and perhaps even today for some folks), jazz, particularly the blues, was denigrated as “the devil’s music.” Somewhat ironically this charge was—and is still—answered by the many instances of jazz bands taking up and playing religious music—gospel songs, hymns, spirituals—and invariably a traditional jazz festival will feature such music at a Sunday morning set. Just about every band has a few such pieces in its repertoire, including the traditional jazz “anthem”: “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Over the years a number of bands have put out complete albums of religious music, one of them being the Black Swan Classic Jazz Band with this CD (followed by another, Feel the Spirit, a few years later). Most of the songs will be familiar—for me “Holy Moses” and “Angel Gabriel” were “new”—and almost all have vocals, “Holy Moses” and “Solace” being exceptions. Scott Joplin’s “Solace,” subtitled “A Mexican Serenade,” is a curious inclusion, its being a number more associated with ragtime, perhaps, than religion. But one of religion’s collateral benefits is, I suppose, “solace.”
Marilyn Keller does a fine job with the vocals, appearing on thirteen of the tracks. Her vibrato, pitch, and diction are, as they always seem to be, impeccable. She beautifully captures the pathos of the gospel song “Precious Lord,”
