Reflections of a Jazz Theologian

Finding The Groove--What other's are saying...

I'm grateful to Jerry Starks over at Christian Performing Artists who just posted a review of my book, Finding the Groove: Composing a Jazz-Shaped Faith.  Check it out!

Finding The Groove Live!--3rd Printing!

Zondervan notified me today that my book, Finding the Groove:  Composing a Jazz-Shaped Faith, is in it's 3rd printing!  

Thanks to all of you for your support.

Stay in the groove,

robert 

Interview on C-Span with Chaplain of the Senate, Barry Black

Who Will Cry for the Little Boy--Antwone Fisher

Who will cry for the little boy?
Lost and all alone.


Who will cry for the little boy?
Abandoned without his own?

Who will cry for the little boy?
He cried himself to sleep.


Who will cry for the little boy?
He never had for keeps.

Who will cry for the little boy?
He walked the burning sand.


Who will cry for the little boy?
The boy inside the man.

Who will cry for the little boy?
Who knows well hurt and pain.


Who will cry for the little boy?
He died again and again.

Who will cry for the little boy?
A good boy he tried to be.


Who will cry for the little boy?
Who cries inside of me

My new favorite vocalist: Bettye LaVette

So What

"So What," is the first track on Miles Davis' ground breaking album "Kind of blue."

Kind of Blue (part 4--in conclusion)

"The parallels between the lives of African-Americans battling for their freedom as citizens and that of jazz musicians for their freedom from European harmony are too close to be mere happenstance."

Jazz icon, Miles Davis, used to play with his back to the audience. To whites it was offensive. To blacks it was empowering. If a mere negro musician would dare turn his backs on whites in a racist society, then what else was possible? Same drinking fountains, no more lynchings, same schools...voting?

"Harmonic complexity [had become] a hallmark of modern jazz." And "the use of harmonic structure had special, extramusical significance in jazz: it was the aspect of the music that was most deeply rooted in Europe...the use of chords comes out of the European harmonic system. And jazzmen were very aware of this."

Finding The Groove Live!--Last Night

Wow, it's hard to believe that once a month for the last eight months we have gathered at The Soiled Dove Underground for Finding the Groove Live.  Each night we packed the room to experience great music and to think deeply about following Jesus.  

Tonight, we'll consider what it means to accept the call to follow in the footsteps of our "Kind of Blue" Christ.

Thanks to the staff of The Soiled Dove!  Thanks to Dave LeMieux & House of Soul!

Stay in the groove,

robert (aka-jazz theologian)

Kind of Blue (part 3)

Pre-Kind Of Blue, that is 1959, Conformity was a way of seeking acceptance in America. Jazz musicians needed to make clear the fierce intelligence that was necessary to play [jazz]. The greater society thought of jazz as merely an offshoot of the so-called natural sense of rhythm of African-Americans and believed that it lacked the sophistication of classical music." Conformity was seen as the key to success in America for many African-Americans in general and jazz musicians in particular. Because of this comparison to classical music, "Harmonic complexity became a hallmark of modern jazz." "The rhythms and...melodies of jazz can be traced to Africa. But the use of chords comes out of the European harmonic system."

"...by the late 1930's and early 1940's, there was a restlessness in jazz that would begin gradually and grow to enormous proportions by the time it reached its culmination in the 1950's and 1960's. And with black soldiers fighting a war against racism and fascism in Europe, the idea of returning to a home country in which they were themselves oppressed fanned new winds of change." "Many began to question whether European tradition was the only yardstick they had with which to measure their own music...Many jazzmen began to wonder whether trying to achieve the harmonic complexity of classical music was a desired goal after all."

Kind of Blue was a break from the status quo, a protest…an emergence.

Kind Of Blue (part 2)

America in the 1950's--All a matter of perspective. The war was over, suburbia was being invented and the American dream was being pursued...by some

For black America, the 1950's were a decade of emergence. After 90 years of not being slaves and yet not being citizens either, something had to give. The dehumanization of separate water fountains, segregated schools, lynchings in the South, massive nihilism in the urban North and no voting rights gave rise to discontent. As Fannie Lou Hamer would say, sometimes your just "sick and tired of being sick and tired."

In 1954 racial segregation of schools was ruled unconstitutional. In 1955 Rosa Parks decided to stay seated. And in 1959 Miles Davis recorded Kind of Blue and jazz has never been the same. Four years later, Martin Luther King Jr. called America to emerge, even better, to converge and America has never been the same either.

Jazz anticipates, participates, senses the shift of the wind...listens

Theology like jazz is not meant to be a series of static propositions but rather the job of a theologian (and everybody is a theologian!), is to sense current realities, anticipate the wind of God...to listen.

To be continued...

Kind of Blue (part 1)

It has been said that jazz history can be divided into two segments: “Before Kind Of Blue and after Kind Of Blue.” In 1959 Miles Davis recorded Kind Of Blue and “More than forty years after its release, it is still one of the most-sought-after recordings in the country; in fact, as late as 1998 it was the best-selling jazz album of the year.”

The story behind Kind Of Blue is essential to understanding the sociology of jazz and serves as a good case study for understanding jazz theology. The album was “created…because the most important jazzmen in the modern scene desperately wanted to change the way they played their music. This need was not purely musical; it had more than a little to do with the changes then going on in American society, especially concerning the lives of African-Americans.”

“It should never be forgotten that the depth and beauty of jazz have arisen from centuries of injustice, brutality, fear, and pain, none of which were passively accepted but were met with African-Americans’ resistance, striving, and hope for a more benevolent future.”

Kind Of Blue marked an “end of an era” for jazz music and the beginning of something fresh—not just emergent but also convergent. I see a day that this whole modern/postmodern emergent debate/conversation is divided into two era's: Before Jazz Theology and after Jazz Theology.

Jazz Theologian in Music City!

I'm currently in Nashville at the MOPS Convention.  Nothing like four thousand mother's of preschoolers worshipping God...plus they're just giddy that they are away from their kids for a few days!  We are at Opryland, which is an amazing, indoor tropical paradise.  Matt Redman and Matthew West are leading worship.  Ken Davis, Elisa Morgan and Efrem Smith are speaking.

I'm really enjoying my role as well.  I spoke yesterday on God's heart for orphans, tonight I'll be on a riverboat with a jazz band talking my book, Finding the Groove:  Composing a Jazz-Shaped Faith, and then tomorrow I'll be addressing everyone in the general assembly about community in the image of God.

The highlight is that I'm traveling with my son Gabriel.  He has that he has the most important job of the two of us because he is my prayer partner...when I'm speaking to others he speaking to God.  Yesterday he said, "Dad, I think this is the best day of my life."  

Having a blast,

robert

Finding the Groove Milestone!

Big milestone for my book...just received news from the publisher that, Finding the Groove: Composing a Jazz-Shaped Faith, is now in it's second printing.

I want a horse!

As a Colorado native I've always wanted a horse...one that's black and blue...

John Perkins and Universal Health Care

I believe that John Perkins will go down in church history as an icon.  His books are a must for anyone who desires to take Biblical justice and Jesus' call to the marginalized seriously.  Urbanfaith.com recently ran a piece that ties the writing of Perkins to the debate over universal health care.  It's worth the read!

Winner--Black Weblog Awards

Thanks to all of you who voted for this blog over the last few months in the Black Weblog Awards.  It was chosen as the judges choice for best faith-based blog.  (Click here to see all of the winners in the various categories)

What Color is Jesus?--A case study in jazz theology (postlude)

So what color does the Jazz Theologian think that Jesus is today?

Blue, I think that Jesus is Kind of Blue!

What Color Is Jesus--A case study in jazz theology (part 4)

(Todays post is a bit long but I wanted to keep the continuity of thought)

"Jesus Is Black," said James Cone in 1975 as he interpreted Matthew 25.

"Christ's blackness is the American expression of the truth of his parable about the Last Judgement: "Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me."

"The least in America are literally and symbolically present in black people. To say that Christ is black means that black people are God's poor people whom Christ has come to liberate. And thus no gospel of Jesus Christ is possible in America without coming to terms with the history and culture of that people who struggled to bear witness to his name in extreme circmustances."

"Christ is black, therefore, not because of some cultural or psychological need of black people, but because and only because Christ really enters into our world where the poor, the despised, and the black are, disclosing that he is with them, enduring their humiliation and pain and transforming oppressed slaves into liberated servants. Indeed, if Christ is not truly black, then the historical Jesus lied."

"My point is that God came, and continues to come, to those who are poor and helpless, for the purpose of setting them free. And since the people of color are his elected poor in America, any interpretation of God that ignores black oppression cannot be Christian theology."

That was then, this is now...

What Color is Jesus?--A case study in jazz theology (part 3)

Let's let one of my favorte jazz theologians take a solo for the next two posts. James Cone is a bit controversial but he'll had some creative tension to the conversation

In 1975, Cone, wrote, "If twentieth-century Christians are to speak the truth for their sociohistorical situation, they cannot merely repeat the story of what Jesus did and said in Palestine, as if it were self-interpreting for us today. Truth is more than the retelling of the biblical story. Truth is the divine happening that invades our contemporary situation, revealing the meaning of the past for the present so that we are made new creatures for the future."

Cone is describing what I think the essence of jazz theology. When our hunger for God, the song of God, our questions, joys and pains, converge with Jesus "the divine happening that invades our contemporary situation."

Cone asserts that our Christology must know Jesus as He was, as He is AND also as He will be.

So what color is Jesus? Well, we know what color he was (a middle-eastern man with all the telltale characteristics); we can only imagine what color he is now(with feet like brass and eyes like fire...Rev. 1) but what color will he be...to you...to me...today?

(quotes taken from, "God of the Oppressed" by James Cone)

What Color is Jesus--A case study in jazz theology (part2)

Nice to see we had a few brave souls chime in...

So that we can do theology in concert together, lwe need to make sure we are all playing the same song.

Listen to the words of our composer:

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me...I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25.35-36, 40)

Remember a classical approach to theology will see the answer in what is being said (nothing wrong with that). A jazz approach will see the answer in what is being done.

Now that we know the song, let's ask the question again, "What color is Jesus?"

Anybody care to take a solo? Let the improvisation begin!

What Color is Jesus--A case study in jazz theology (part 1)

I feel like doing a little jazz theology.

Here's the question: What color is Jesus?

How would you go about answering that question?

Do you even like the question?

Is there anything to be gained by knowing the answer?

This is jazz...everybody has a role, so don't be shy post and comment.

(This series of posts is a re-run.  For those of you who are long time readers, let's engage this question again.  For you newby's jump in with both feet.)

Jazz & Soul Nights: Finding The Groove Live!

Tomorrow night is the next installment of Finding the Groove Live!  If you're in the Denver area, you don't want to miss this.  I'll be talking about an essential element to composing a jazz-shaped faith:  Pain (Singing the Blues).

The music is going to be off the hook!  Here are some of the songs you'll experience:  Come Sunday, God Bless the Child, Mo' Better Blues, All Blues and Everyday People.

200+ seats are gone but there are still some tickets left online at Soileddove.com.

Stay in the groove,

robert

Black Weblog Awards: Finalist!

Thanks to you this blog is a finalist in the Black Weblog Awards: "Best Faith-Based Blog" Category:  Click here to Vote

Finding the Groove Live: Acoustics of Listening

I believe that listening is part of the essence of jazz.

"The most important thing I look for in a musician is whether he knows how to listen."  Duke Ellington

"Jazz is primarily a heard reality..."  Kirk Byron Jones

Listening is what helps us make the most of every moment.  There is no such thing as "just a moment."  The gospel is about incarnation and resurrection.  Incarnate living means that we have time to listen to others.  Resurrected living means that we have time to listen to God.

Jazz musicians have a few techniques that help us create the acoustics to a listening life.

• Having time:  In the same way that a drummer keeps time we can to.  Perched in the back of the ensemble in the worst seat they keep time because it is the best seat to serve the others.  What would it look like to live this as a metaphor for ministry and leadership?

• The Break:  This is a technique that jazz incorporates so that it is easier to listen to a particular person as they solo.  It is the practice of creating space in the music, a planned moment of disruption.  God gave the ancient Hebrews a way to "break" for the sake of listening:  Sabbath & Selah.  Do you have any insight how you have sought to live these concepts?

• Developing Your Ear:  Dictation is the process of listening to a piece of music and transcribing it to paper.  Tone Matching is a call and response game in which to musicians of the same instruments try to match what the other plays.  How might we apply these concepts to developing our ear to hear others and God?

Stay in the groove,

robert

Orphans Deserve Better

With the release of the movie Orphan, Warner Bros. is portraying these beautiful, though often wounded, children as horrors.  There is a campaign to counteract this called:  Orphans Deserve Better.  

As an adoptive father of five (and for much of the last year, the we were foster parents of three addition children) I know first hand that what they have experienced has been a horror but themeselves are not...they are beloved children of God. 

Please take the time to sign the petition stating that orphans deserver better.

The goal is to ask Warner Brothers to donate a portion of the profit from this movie to help the over 140 million orphans in our world.  

Finding The Groove--Audio Book

The audio version of my book will be available next month.  In addition to me reading, we added some nice jazz music to the track as well.  Go to this link and listen to the sample all the way through...

Finding the Groove Audio

My Calling & Legacy (p1)

While I've been on vacation I've thought a lot about my calling and legacy.  What is it that God has specifically designed for me and when my time comes, what do I want God and others to be able to say about me.  I'd like to share my Calling and Legacy statements here.  I am doing this for two reasons.  

First, if you have never gone through a process like this it is rich and meaningful.  I began with four foundational questions:  Whose am I?  Who is God?  Who am I? and What are the desires of my heart?  These gave way to much prayer and soul searching. 

Secondly, my sharing this is a way of driving a stake in the ground, a declaration, as to the kind of person I desire to be and become with with God's overflowing grace and mercy.  Please know, these documents are a work in progress...

Here is my statement of calling:

Strange Fruit: The Cross as a Way of Life (Due out 2010) p2

(Here's another installment from my current writing project)

The Loveliest Lynchee Was Our Lord[1]

That’s a difficult question, isn't it?  How do you follow strange fruit?

Perhaps you’ve never thought of it this way before, but—as followers of Christ—we have wrestled with that for centuries.  How do we follow strange—unnatural—fruit?  After seeing a lynch victim, one author wrote, "He had been stripped of all his clothing but what appeared to be a loin cloth positioned below his hip.  The figure was eerily reminiscent of the image of Christ being crucified on the cross."[2]   This is a comparison that many have seen, Ida B. Wells being one of them.  A former slave and orphaned by a yellow fever epidemic that took her parents, she was left with five siblings to raise on her own.  In the 1890’s Ida launched a campaign against lynching after a friend of hers died at the hands of a lynch mob.  Putting her skills as a writer to use she chronicled the practice for a larger audience.  Her campaign against lynching often made reference to the lynching of our Lord for the comparisons between the two forms of execution are obvious.

Like Frank Embree and countless others, Jesus was kidnapped in the dead of night by a lynch mob, put through mock trials and found guilty without proper procedure.  His execution on the cross was a scandal--the ultimate in degradation.  While the Romans didn't invent crucifixion, they perfected it through practice.  Untold thousands of victims had hung to their deaths with humiliation and torture also the chief goal in the excruciating process reserved for non-citizens of the empire. 

Strange Fruit: The Cross as a Way of Life (Due out 2010) p1

(I'm currently working on my second book.  It's a jazz-shaped take on the cross...I'll share a few excerpts this week...here's installment #1.)

He stands stripped bare, arms restrained at the wrists.  His legs are lacerated on all sides; long deep grooves cover his torso and lumps of flesh are missing.  Only a slight grimace of his mouth hints to the immeasurable torture that he has endured.  Illegally arrested and unjustly convicted they whipped him without mercy.  Surrounded by a jeering, mocking crowd he has no friend in sight.  Hundreds have gathered to watch, as he is moments away from hanging on a tree, dying a humiliating death reserved for those without citizenship.

His name was Frank Embree and he was strange fruit.

What's a Jazz Theologian?

A jazz theologian is someone who balances classical faith with a jazz-shaped faith.  

As we take the stage our ensemble can know that:

-We are practicing Christians.  Having spent sufficient time in the woodshed learning the standards we now syncopate, improvise and respond to the call of a love supreme.

-We creatively embrace unresolved tension as we walk with Christ and invite others to join the mystery.

-We have time rather than time having us.  Developing our ear so that we might serve others like Jesus.

-We seek a composed life that is guided by the eternal melody of the Living Word of God as we add our own voice.

-We sing the blues so as not to waste any pain that may come our way.

-We follow in the footsteps of our "kind of blue" Christ, offering our lives as statements to the renaissance that only he can bring.  

Are you in?

A Prayer from St. Augustines Prayer Book

I praise my God this day:

I give myself to God this day:

I ask God to help me this day.

Feel free to join in and pray improvisationally...what are your requests to God this day?

The Word in Jazz: Finding Your Voice (p1)

What is the Bible?  All too often we treat it like a science project:  Study it...develop propositions about it...defend it.

Now I'm all for serious Bible study.  We can only benefit from understanding the original languages and context.  However, we can't stop at this.

Approaching the Bible as a science project...dissecting it verse-by-verse, word-for-word...has great benefit, though we need to be very careful. If we are not, then we will be like the high school student who disects a frog and sees all of the inner parts but in the process the frog looses its' life.  What if that is what we are doing to the living word?

That's why I ask...

What if we experienced the word of God as a song that sets us free to compose, a melody that has room for our voice to join in with the ancients?

Hermeneutics--the art and science of Biblical interpretation.

We need this approach to scripture but it needs to be balanced with a "jazzaneutic."

That is...

• ...the art of knowing the scriptures by living them and experiencing them in community.
• ...the willingness to let the Bible interpret us no vice versa.
• ...seeing meaning not only in what is said but what is being done by the Biblical authors.

Some "jazzaneutic" guidlines:  When reading the scriptures ask...

• What isthe author saying?  (this will take care of the study part)
• What is the author doing? (this will open our eyes to the off beats--syncopation)
• Can I do that with and for others? (this will lead to improvisation and call & response. 

Did anyone take a shot at writing their own 23rd Psalm? 

Jazz & Soul Nights: Finding The Groove Live!

Tonight is our next installment of Finding the Groove Live! @ The Soiled Dove Underground.  We'll be looking at Finding Your Voice:  

What if there is another way to know the Scriptures?  What if we experienced the word of God as a song that sets us free to compose, a melody that has room for our voices to join in with the ancients?

Until we gather, stay in the groove,

robert

P.S. There are still a few tickets left online at www.soileddove.com

MJ

Here are two thoughtful articles in light of Michael Jackson's passing...

The Pop Reconciler by Ed Gilbreath

and

Michael Jackson:  Soloman Sans Wisdom--The king of pop had it all, yet the most important things seemed to ellude him by Chanel Graham

Following the one-handed man in San Antonio (p1)

We were looking for a Starbucks as the one-handed man passed by and over heard our conversation.  "The closest one is a quarter mile away in the hotel,"  he said.  

He offered to take us there and added, "I play the piano.  I could give you a concert while we are there."

With God, no moment is just a moment.  Rather, each is pregnant with the possibility of heaven shining through.  However, as I wrote in my book, the question is, "Do you have time, or does time have you?"  Often this is a defining factor as to whether or not we experience God's little winks and surprises.

To be continued...

Finding The Groove--What other's are saying...

The Discerning Reader posted a nice review about Finding the Groove...

Hey, I'm in the running for the 2009 Black Weblog Awards! Click on the icon and vote for me...Please!

RENOVARE' International Conference on Spiritual Formation

I'm here in San Antonio for the RENOVARE' International Conference.  It's hot and humid...but oh so worth it to hear from Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, Max Lucado and Eugene Peterson.  

Today I had the privilege of speaking about the subject of my book, Finding the Groove, and tomorrow I will share with the conference during the general session.

Stay in the groove,

robert

Questions for Adam

What would you ask Adam?  Here are my questions.

Why didn't you say anything?

Too often we blame your wife for partaking of the forbidden fruit.  But you were there...RIGHT THERE! The scriptures say that, "she took some and ate it.  She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."  (Gen. 3.6)  So the whole time Eve was being deceived you stood by in hushed silence watching her.  Why didn't you say anything?

How long did you wait?

John Eldredge was astute in pointing out that, "there was a moment in Eden when Eve was fallen and Adam was not:  she had eaten, but he yet had a choice...Adam chose Eve over God."  Wow...you sat there with the fruit in hand and pondered life with Eve in a fallen state verses life with God untarnished.  How long did it take before life apart from God seemed more desirable?

What was it like to walk with God?

You spent leisure time with the Creator.  Did he explain the platypus and mosquitoes?  It must have left a lasting impression on you for it seems that you told your great great great great great grandson about it.  Is that why Enoch decided to give it a try? (Gen. 5.21-24)

Do you know who Barry Black is?

Barry C. Black is the current chaplain to the U.S. Senate.  Appointed in 2003 he is the 62nd person to hold this position and the first African-American.  He spent thirty-nine years as a Navy chaplain earning the rank of Admiral and three doctorates along the way (ministry, philosophy & psychology). Now he walks the corridors of power serving as spiritual advisor to the nations most powerful elected officials.

His book, From the Hood to the Hill:  A Story of Overcoming, chronicles how unlikely his story is.  A child  of poverty and familiar with visiting social workers he credits a sovereign God who answered the prayer the prayer of his single mother...

"During her baptism, she asked God to do something special for her unborn child.  Later, she frequently reminded me that, because of her prayer, God had set me apart for holy use.  'You are different, God's child,' she would say.  'Never forget this.'  And I never did."

Now that you know who he is, pray for him! Chaplain Black spends his days providing spiritual direction to those we have entrusted with the direction of our country.  He provides non-partisan guidance for a flock of almost six-thousand Senators, their families and staffers. Daily leading them in multiple Bible studies and opening the Senate in prayer.  

As he intercedes for them, let us intercede for him.

Are you a Cosmo-Christian?

Skye Jethani (author of The Divine Commodity, which is a must read) has a post on his blog about what he calls Cosmo-Christians.  What about you...are you a Cosmo-Christian?  

Find out at his blog Skyebox.

Jesus on Death Row by Mark Osler

I just read Mark Osler's Jesus on Death Row:  The Trial of Jesus and American Capital Punishment.  It's worth your time for two reasons.  One, anything that reminds us of what our Savior did for our salvation will only serve to draw us nearer to our most merciful God.  Two, seeing Jesus as a death row inmate forces us to ask whether or not we are loving the least of these in our midst.  It is on this latter point that this book provides much fodder for debate.  As Osler writes, "The more we focus on that story of Jesus, the more the idea of capital punishment becomes troubling." (p4)

Osler says that the, "example of Christ is but one of a number of reasons that the death penalty is not compatible with the Christian faith."  He then reminds us of what Jesus did when he was asked about the death penalty in regards to the woman caught in adultery.

In John 8, Jesus was asked to opine on a lawful execution that was about to occur.  There was no suggestion that the defendant was innocent, or that the crime was minor by the standards of the day.  Jesus did not shrug his shoulders, summarily conclude that the death penalty was necessary or approved in the Old Testament, and walk away.

Rather, he challenged the gathered crowd:  A person without sin should cast the first stone of the stoning.  Famously no one did.  They did not have the moral authority to execute another person even when human law called for it.  Could his teaching be anymore clearer?  Jesus came upon the death penalty, about to be conducted and stopped it.  Imagine if he had come upon an abortion about to be committed and condemned it--I don't doubt that many would take that as an unambiguous moral statement.  (pp4-5)

Whether we support the death penalty or not, I believe we have to wrestle with concepts presented in this book if we are going to seek justice AND mercy in our world.  On the one had we have to take into account the rights of victims while living in a nation that now has a track record of sentencing innocent people to death row.

You can interact with Professor Osler at his blog Osler's Razor.

Obama's Pro-Life Appointment

When President Obama announced the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and Neighborhood Partnerships many wondered if he was serious when he made abortion reduction one of the main goals.  

Today's news seems to indicate that he meant it...just read this 

President Obama Appoints Anti-Abortion Catholic

or

Obama's Pro-Life Appointment on Beliefnet

It's a bird...It's a plane...

Jesus on Death Row: The Trial of Jesus and American Capital Punishment

I just started a new book called Jesus on Death Row: The Trial of Jesus and American Capital Punishment. The author, Mark Osler, is a former prosecutor and current Professor of Law at Baylor University of School of Law.  I'm intrigued by his approach because he is looking at the trial of Jesus through the eyes of the US court system.  As one who is predisposed to a non-violent, consistent life ethic, I'm intrigued by the argument.

Finding the Groove--Now available on Kindle

My book, Finding the Groove:  Composing a Jazz-Shaped faith, is now available for all of you Kindle users as well...

Relationships in Jazz: Life in Concert

What a night we just had at the Soiled Dove Underground for another session of Finding the Groove Live!  We talked about how jazz offers an alternative to the models of the melting pot and the salad bowl when it comes to relationships, namely...

"Ensemble:  A unit of complementary parts that contribute to a sing effect.  From the French meaning, "together."  From the Latin, meaning "at the same time."

There are many characteristics to Ensemble Community, one of them is practice.  Life in Concert is made possible through practice...practice...practice!  In jazz practice takes many forms...

• Casual Apprenticships
• Jam Sessions
• Time in the "Wood Shed"

I think we are at the point in American Christianity where we need to distinguish between "cultural" Christians and "practicing" Christians.

So here are the questions:  What is a practicing Christian?  What should we expect from each other as followers of Christ?  If someone were to follow Christ and be in church for a number of years, are there certain things we should be able to count on each other for when it comes to life in concert?

To sum it up, how would you finish the following sentence:  A practicing Christian...

Finding The Groove--What other's are saying...

Thanks to the Englewood Review of Books for their review of Finding the Groove: Composing a Jazz-Shaped Faith.

Finding The Groove Live!--Jazz and Soul Nights

The next Jazz and Soul Night is this Tuesday. Tickets are available after services this weekend at CCC or at www.soileddove.com.

This month's show is going to blow your mind!

Can't wait to see you there,

robert

Jazz at the White House!

The President and Mrs. Obama's remarks comprise the first four minutes fifteen seconds and then ELEW and Esperanza Spalding perform.