The
Dallas Christian Jazz Band released its third studio album, Sermonette,
in 2004. The CD contains 13 tracks of big band music, including three
original arrangements and three vocal selections. It is available
for purchase at all DCJB appearances and through this web site.
The inclusion
of material written specifically for the DCJB was a major milestone
for the group. "There's a great deal of good, readily accessible Christian
jazz music available these days. Our goal has been to distinguish
ourselves with our own voice by having tunes nobody else is playing,"
says music director David Kelley, who notes that several other Christian
big bands have appeared since the DCJB's formation in 1994.
One original
arrangement is the title track, "Sermonette," arranged by pianist
Norman Grant. This classic "Cannonball" Adderley tune, with lyrics
by Jon Hendricks, is featured with DCJB sax player Don Daniel on vocals.
"It has a good message and is a swinging tune," says Daniel, who asked
his long-time friend Grant to write the arrangement. Also included
is Grant's arrangement of "Glory Hallelujah," as well as a setting
of the contemporary Christian song "Via Dolorosa" by former DCJB drummer
Steve Hall. "I love our original tunes because they're all very different
from one another, yet each plays to a particular strength of the band,"
Kelley says.
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Rideau
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The addition
of vocals is another important development for the group. David Kelley
notes, "By incorporating vocals into what we do, we're providing a
variety of sound options for our audiences. Vocals add an element
of familiarity to the music that listeners seem to enjoy and relate
to." "He Keeps Me Singing" features the vocal stylings of Dallas jazz
artist Breggett Rideau, who recently recorded her own CD with some
of the area's top musicians. "Breggett is a great talent whose star
is on the rise. She's very versatile, and I knew she would be right
for the tune we chose to do. Certainly of equal importance is her
love for the Lord," says Kelley.
In addition to
the title track, Don Daniel also lends his voice to Ralph Carmichael's
"Gonna Go Back." Says Daniel: "I didn't start singing until five or
six years ago. When I was a band director I demonstrated parts to
students by singing. One day I thought I might as well try it in public."
Other tracks
on the CD include classic hymns, gospel songs and other Christian
material arranged for big band by various writers. Primary recording
sessions for the CD took place in September 2001 and April 2003 at
Audio Dallas Studios with engineer Byron Parks. The CD's long production
time was a result of many factors, including personnel changes and
the 2002 death of DCJB trumpeter Tommy Loy, to whom the album is dedicated.
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Loy
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Loy, a longtime
Dallas musician famous for playing the national anthem at Dallas Cowboys
games, participated in the early sessions for Sermonette. "The
DCJB was blessed during the time that Tommy was a member. He always
had a smile and a word of encouragement for the people around him,"
says Kelley. "When I think of how we've dedicated this recording to
Tommy, 'Glory Hallelujah' immediately comes to mind. One of Tommy's
great loves was Dixieland, and that arrangement was tailor-made to
showcase his Dixieland talent. Although the trumpet solo was ultimately
played -- very well, I might add -- by Bob Penick, I can't hear that
tune without imagining Tommy playing it."
The Dallas Christian
Jazz Band is a nondenominational big band consisting of both professional
and amateur musicians. The group maintains an active schedule of performances
throughout the Dallas area, playing for churches and other groups.
The band's earlier CD releases are He's Everything To Me (1998)
and Christmas with the Dallas Christian Jazz Band (1999).
