Boston's rich cultural environment includes many fine jazz musicians. We offer a unique setting for jazz, combining the resonant acoustics of St. John's Church with the reflective quietness of Night Song. The setting is far from the noise and distraction of clubs, and allows jazz musicians to explore the soft dimension of jazz in a spiritual and introspective direction. The jazz is intended to foster a sense of meditation and prayer, rather than to overtly intrude with urgent energy. Musicians who would like to participate are invited to read the paragraphs that follow and to contact Ben Schwendener at Gravity Arts, 617.522.0288, ben@gravityarts.org. Click here to hear a sample audio clip of appropriate jazz for Night Song.
The role of jazz musicians at Night Song is to offer jazz as prayer, or to put it another way - as a vehicle to transport the listeners into a realm of tranquility, meditation, and introspection. A specific part of the challenge is to use elements of Gregorian chant, such as free rhythm and modal scales, as an expression of beauty and musical excellence within the jazz idiom. Musicians will be provided with a compilation of plainchant hymns in modern notation from which they may select one or more on which to base some of the music for the first half-hour; the remainder of the music during that time should be jazz that has no obvious connection to or recognition as secular texts or melodies.
For the second half hour, during which there will be singing of Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphonic motets by a choral group within the monastic office of compline, the jazz musicians take on a different role. Brief strings of jazz will be used to "intone" (introduce choral selections and give the cantor or singers the starting pitch), and as a "comment" or an "elaboration" on lines of chant sung by the vocalists. A "script" for the service with instructions and the chant in modern notation will be provided in advance. Here a lone instrument - such as a soprano sax - might be more effective, rather than a group of jazz musicians, but not necessarily so. A half-hour rehearsal with the choral group from 6:15-6:45 PM will build a comfort level and understanding of this portion of Night Song for the jazz musicians.
Payment for jazz musicians will be from the free will offering taken at the door. Inviting those who follow your performances will increase your take home fee.
The church is of moderate size and has beautiful resonance. No amplification is needed, nor will it be allowed. Percussion instruments are not advised due to the nature of Night Song. The grand piano is by Mason & Hamlin and is well-maintained.
To apply please submit the following to Ben Schwendener, who is coordinating the jazz component of Night Song, at 617.522.0288, ben@gravityarts.org, with a copy to Daryl Bichel at darylbichel@aol.com: