Hymns for trad jazz band

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: GLoux
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 03:54 PM

Here's a link to a diatribe on Duke Ellington sacred concerts that, if you keep scrolling down, you'll see the lyrics to a number of selections...looks like pretty powerful stuff...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: PoppaGator
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 03:33 PM

I feel pretty strongly that church-wedding music to be played by a traditional-jazz band should come from the traditional early-jazz (New Orleans) repertoire, which includes plenty of spirituals, and also plenty of love songs that would be suitable for a wedding.

I can't see assigning a jazz band a classical/European style hymn, or even a contemporary one, and asking them to create an original "jazzed-up" arrangement. Might work, might not, but (a) you're asking the bandleader and players to do a lot more work than they should have to, and (b) there are plenty of suitarble alternatives in the traditional repertoire with which the band should be thoroughly familiar.

Will the trad-jazzers provide the only instrumental music and accompaniment for the entire wedding service, or will you have the chance to use the band for processional and recessional and one or two additional numbers, while also doing another piece or two with the traditional church organ or with guitar accopmaniment, etc? The latter arrangement would provide more leeway for including a favorite piece or two that may not lend itself to jazz-band reinterpretation.

*************************

Giok's suggestion of "Down By The Riverside" was a good one; when he posted that right after I had put in my two-cents-worth, I had one of those slap-yourself-on-the-forehead moments ("Why didn't I think of that?!?")

Now, at first you might think that studying war no more, and laying down one's sword and shield, are topics unrelated to the nuptial rites. But I've given this some thought, and as a survivor of 34 years and 11 months of marriage, I can attest that "cessation of hostilities" is an important part of getting and staying married.

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: open mike
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 01:00 PM

Here is a list of the tunes and songs done by the High Sierra Jazz Band at a recent sunday show at a jazz festival (I was Stage Manager/M.C.)
Roll, Jordan, Roll
In the Garden (And he walks with me, and He talks with me...)
Give Us Just a Little While to Stay
May the Good Lord Keep you "Til We Meet Again
Down By the River Side
His Eye is on the Sparrow
I'll Fly Away
Turn the Radio On
Alleluyah
Whole World in His Hands
When the Saints Go Marching In
\and one "secular" one I saw on
another list was "Side By Side"
(we ain't got a barrel of money,
may be ragged and funny,
but we'll travel along,
singing a song,
Side By Side...)
It occurs to me that it might be
a good song for the occasion...
even if not from the hymn book...
more like from a broadway show
or???

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 11:23 AM

"Stroll Over Heaven With You" Congratulations-Dave

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: GLoux
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 11:10 AM

Late in his career, Duke Ellington wrote a number (3 concerts-worth) of sacred music and songs. DeVonne Gardner was his singer, and she's still around.

I don't know what hymns would be appropriate, but you might Google for some recordings...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Flash Company
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 09:55 AM

Not a hymn, but for leaving the church, how about 'Magnolia's Wedding Day?'

FC

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Mooh
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 08:12 AM

Both my fiddle/guitar, and concertina/guitar duos swing Londonderry Air (Danny Boy) after playing it through once unswung. It's better swung in my opinion...we call it Swingin' Derriere. Besides the swing rhythm, I add a bunch more seventh & ninth chords, passing diminished chords, some walking bass, and a I-VI-II-V turnaround mid-verse. Lots of fun and a crowd pleaser, though I doubt we play much to the folk police.

Many of the "celtic" (I use that term very broadly and loosely) hymns like Monk's Gate, Kingsfold, Martyrdom, Amazing Grace, and so on can swing or be subjected to other jazz treatments. Maybe Ellacombe and Rockingham too.

Sounds like fun.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: GUEST,BobL
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 08:08 AM

"I cannot tell" by William Young Fullerton:

I cannot tell why He Whom angels worship,
Should set His love upon the sons of men,
Or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wanderers,
To bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary
When Bethlehem's manger was His only home,
And that He lived at Nazareth and laboured,
And so the Saviour, Saviour of the world is come.

Wiki has the rest under "Londonderry Air".

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: JennieG
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 03:47 AM

Is there a local brass band? They may have suggestions. Both my sons (and many years ago my brothers also) played in a brass band when they were younger. The band often entered competitions, and a compulsory section of every competition was The Hymn.

One band even played Danny Boy as a hymn/sacred piece - apparently there is a set of words using the tune in an Anglican book.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Cappuccino
Date: 10 Apr 08 - 02:35 AM

Thank'ee all.

C

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 11:02 AM

That "Where Love is Found" posted above also fits the tune for Old Hundredth-- doxology-- which any church musician worth their salt ought to be able to vamp out as a jazz piece. That tune is fill of goofy near-modulations.

~S~

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Arkie
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 10:31 AM

Wish you the best. Here are a few suggestions:

The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
Morning Has Broken
Love Divine All Love Excelling
All Creatures Of Our God And King
Immortal Invisible God Only Wise
Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind
All Things Bright And Beautiful
As Man And Woman We Were Made
By Vows Of Love Together Bound
For The Beauty Of The Earth
Now Thank We All Our God
O Perfect Love


This is a more contemporary hymn by Brian Wren sung to the tune of "Waly, Waly"

Where Love is Found
tune: O Waly Waly

   1. When love is found and hope comes home,
      come and be glad that two are one.
      when love explodes and fills the sky
      praise God and share our Maker's joy.
   2. When love has flowered in trust and care,
      build both each day that love may dare
      to reach beyond home's warmth and light,
      to serve and strive for truth and right.
   3. When love is tired, as loved-ones change,
      hold still to hope though all seem strange
      till each returns and love grows wise
      through listening ears and opened eyes.
   4. When love is torn and trust betrayed,
      pray strength to love till torments fade,
      till lovers keep no score of wrong
      but hear through pain love's Easter song.
   5. Praise God for love, praise God for life,
      in age or youth, in calm or strife,
      lift up your hearts, let love be fed
      though death and life in broken bread.

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 09:47 AM

It's nice to think of others, but this will be YOUR WEDDING. It will only happen once.

Why don't you locate a number of songs that have meaning for the two of you and tell the jazz band to pick what they can work with. Find songs of hope, trust, fidelity or companionship - songs that will add meaning to your wedding.

Sure, 'The Old Rugged Cross' is an old standard, but it's about crucifixion. Is that the right theme for the bridal couple's launch into life together?

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Bernard Quenby
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 09:00 AM

How Great Thou Art!

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 08:28 AM

Tannenbaum!

Regards

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: GLoux
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 08:06 AM

When the Saints Go Marchin' In...

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 09 Apr 08 - 06:27 AM

Fight the good fight!
(sorry, but Terry beat me to my sensible suggestions)

RtS

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Cappuccino
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 04:12 PM

As it happens, Giok, we're down by the beach... so that would be very appropriate!

C.

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 03:47 PM

Down by the Riverside.

G

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 03:35 PM

Most of the selections I can think of immediately are more appropriate for funerals than weddings ~ even "happy" hymns like "When I Lay My Burden Down," "Beulah Land," "I'll Fly Away."

The Episcopal Church in the US, a fellow Anglican organization, publishes an all-African-American hymnal entitled "Lift Every Voice and Sing." It contains almost every classic "Negro Spiritual" you can think of, and of course such a selection would include just about any sacred song that's ever been played by a jazz band.

I'm trying hard to think of any selections especially appropriate for a wedding. There's a Wednesday evening "musicians' ministry" service at St. Anna's Episcopal; I'll try to remember to (a) attend and (b) research the copy of LEVAS in my pew. If I find anything especially fitting, I'll post it later that night or sometime Thursday.

Come to think of it: you could hardly go wrong with "This Little Light of Mine."

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Megan L
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 03:20 PM

Ach stoap pikin on the beuy he kent fine whit we should all read it as :p

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 03:14 PM

Thanks John ! Posting without switching on Brain !! Old Rugged it certainly is !

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 03:02 PM

Both of those mentioned are rather too closely asociated with funerals I would have thought.
Guide Me Oh Thou Great Redeemer/Jehovah is often used at weddings, and will sound well with a robust jazz frontline. And whatever hymns you go for, the bit where people go and sign the book will give the band the opportunity to play a joyful party piece.

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 02:53 PM

I was going to suggest The Old Rugged Cross Terry, might that have been what you meant?

G

Subject: RE: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 02:44 PM

Jazz Sacred and Secular has a good selection - Lonnie Donegan belting out 'Just a Closer Walk With Thee' , And Monte Sunshine did a superb Clarinet solo of 'The Old Wooden Cross' - They should do for a start .

Subject: Hymns for trad jazz band
From: Cappuccino
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 02:25 PM

At the end of this month (April), down here in the Roseland in south Cornwall, herself and I are getting married. The local Anglican priest, being both a folk and jazz fan, had absolutely no trouble at all in agreeing to let the local trad jazz band play the music for the service, in his church.

Then the problem hit us. What hymns are suitable for a wedding and will withstand a trad jazz treatment?

If anyone knows, Mudcatters will...

All the best
Cappuccino