From This Place

I'm resurrecting this almost unused blog, mainly so that I can give some background for my upcoming sacred jazz recording, From This Place. The title track is a piece that I wrote back in March of 2007 for an Easter jazz vespers at Saint Peter's Church in New York City. I wanted to write something that would be appropriate with the passages for the day. One of the passages was the story of one of Christ's followers, Mary Magdalene. In the story, Mary goes to Christ's tomb three days after he has been crucified. She finds the tomb empty, and meets the risen Christ (who she at first mistakenly identifies as the gardener). Afterwards, she runs to report the news to other followers of Christ.

I wrote "From This Place" as a meditation, wondering how Mary might have felt from the moment she wakes up in the morning and remembers that Christ is dead to the moment she is bewildered at the tomb, to the moment when she recognizes Christ.

Rather than post some of the lyrics sans music, here is a link with a clip from the piece.

For me, this entire recording has been a powerful experience of delving into texts and images. I'm singing on most of the pieces (as opposed to some of my earlier recordings where I primarily play piano), and I have felt like the whole record is an active prayer. If you'd like more information on the recording, or would like to place a pre-order, visit my website.