All rise: the advent of liturgical jazz

Keeping Time: Sounding the Liturgical Year Through Jazz Vol. II Nelson Boschman Trio. 2007.

Nelson Boschman, professor of music at Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C., has put together a second volume of straight ahead trio jazz based on the church calendar. The concept plays on the notion of “keeping time” as critical to both the ordering of musical expression and the Christian life.

It’s evident all the players have put in their time honing the craft and imagination required of jazz musicians; improvised solos are nuanced and proficient, and ensemble playing is cohesive and sensitive. The core trio (Boschman, piano and keyboard; Adam Thomas, bass; Kenton Wiens, drums) is joined by guests Bria Skönberg (trumpet and flugelhorn), and Brian Thiessen (guitar).

Those familiar with Keeping Time Vol. I can expect more of the same quality mix of jazz-infused hymn favourites, traditional spirituals, and original Boschman compositions. The arrangements feature an enjoyable variety of jazz styles, ranging from swing to blues to Latin to “street beat” funk.

Boschman’s writing and arranging, while not always musically daring, straddles the familiar and the unfamiliar with success, offering a new means of expression to the music that we share as a church community. For example, the listener might be surprised by the slinky blues treatment of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” and be forced to ponder just where Christ appears.

A combination of conceptual and testimonial thoughts in the extensive liner notes help the listener connect jazz and the practice of faith. Proceeds go to the Communitas Supportive Care Society (previously MCC Supportive Care).

Bryan Harder is a recording engineer, jazz pianist, and sessional instructor at Canadian Mennonite University. He attends River East MB Church in Winnipeg.