Album Notes

AMAZING GRACE “Familiar Hymns In A Jazz Style”

In 2002, the Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ commissioned the recording “Jazz At Peoples Church, A New Experience”. This was our first serious effort of transferring familiar gospel hymns and christian songs into a jazz style and tempo. This was not only a new experience, but a religious experience. The response was overwhelming. God blessed us and because of this success, we recorded “Amazing Grace: Familiar Hymns In A Jazz Style”.

Our initial efforts were experimental. We were ploughing new ground. As the Jazz Music Director at Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ, I became most excited about arranging and recording hymns in a jazz style. We believe that “Amazing Grace: Familiar Hymns In A Jazz Style” is one of our very best achievements.

It is said that there are about 100 core Hymns which people of all denominations are familiar with. Ten of them are a part of this collection. In fact, many say that “Amazing Grace” is the National Anthem of American religious music. It is my hope that you will be inspired by and find hope, joy and amazing grace in the Lord as you listen to these familiar hymns.