News & Views Thursday, November 21, 2024

Hymns and Spirituals with a Jazz Spirit Friday, July 26, 2024

recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist

The Holy City: Hymn Settings with Jazz Spirit arr. Marianne Kim
Marianne Kim’s signature jazz-tinged style pervades this new collection of hymn settings. Nearly all the hymn tunes are American in organ, including folk hymns, spirituals, and 19th century gospel songs. Varied characters provide music useful for preludes, offertories, or postludes throughout the church year. Titles include: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “All the Way My Savior Leads Me,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “I’ve Got Peace Like a River,” “If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee,” “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” “Postlude on The Holy City,” and “We Shall Overcome.”

More Love to Thee: Hymn Settings with Jazz Spirit arr. Marianne Kim
Marianne Kim’s jazz-influenced style is in full evidence in this collection of pieces based on familiar hymns. The works range in size from several shorter preludes and postludes to two extended sets of variations particularly suitable for concert. The setting of the spiritual “Do, Lord” also includes an optional part for trumpet. Titles include: “More Love to Thee, O Christ,” “America, the Beautiful,” “Do, Lord,” “Variations on The Church in the Wildwood,” “Lauda Anima,” “Variations on Handel’s Sarabande,” and “God Be with You Till We Meet Again.”

Spirituals for Organ: Vibrant Settings with Jazz Spirit arr. Marianne Kim
The music and lyrics of African American spirituals form a rich tradition that has become an important part of Christian worship across the world. They were strong expressions of deep religious faith in the midst of tremendous adversity, and it is through that resonance that they speak powerfully to the hearts of Christians today. Marianne Kim’s organ music always draws on jazz, blues, and gospel elements-styles that (because of their shared African American roots) are especially effective when applied to spirituals. These pieces will be useful as preludes, offertories, and postludes. Titles include: “Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” “Down by the Riverside,” “Ain’t-a That Good News,” “Fix Me, Jesus,” “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley,” “Let Us Break Bread Together,” “My Lord, What a Morning,” “Steal Away,” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”

Lead, Kindly Light: Hymn Settings with Jazz Spirit arr. Marianne Kim
Marianne Kim’s style blends both jazz and classical influences to create vibrant and expressive music for worship. In this volume, she has arranged a number of beloved hymns of the faith for use as preludes and postludes. Also included are three original meditations that can be played separately or as a suite of expandable length for Communion. Titles include: “Grace,” “Hail to the Brightness of Zion’s Glad Morning,” “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,” “Lead, Kindly Light,” “Meditation Suite,” “Once to Every Man and Nation,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” “Were You There?,” and “Something for Thee.”

Jazz Hymns and Spiritual Songs: Soulful Organ Settings for Worship or Recital arr. Marianne Kim
Deeply rooted, heartfelt harmonies and rhythmic nuance combine to produce a wealth of material to uplift and bless your congregation. Featuring a varied gathering of styles and moods, these amazing selections based on some of the best-loved melodies of the church are fun to play and a joy to hear. Titles include: “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” “Deep River,” “Wonderful Words of Life,” “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho,” “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” and “In the Sweet By and By.”

Hymns of Faith: Organ Settings with Jazz Spirit arr. Marianne Kim
In this organ collection, Marianne Kim arranged some of her favorite hymns with her signature jazz-influenced style. Included are eight familiar hymns of faith and assurance, most of which are drawn from the beloved American gospel tradition. Also included is one exciting original postlude. Titles include: “Blessed Assurance,” “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Joy, Love, and Peace,” “My Jesus, I Love Thee,” “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” “Only a Step to Jesus,” “Softly and Tenderly,” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”

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About the Author:
Christopher B. grew up in eastern Kentucky in a musically diverse family, and began playing organ at the age of 12. He majored in vocal performance with minors in keyboards and conducting at Marshall University and later received a Master of Theological Studies in congregational ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Christopher has served as a church music director and organist for more than 20 years, presently serving as Director of Music and Worship Arts/Organist at Church of the Master United Methodist in Westerville, OH.

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