The Spirit of Jazz

Here is a live episode! Bill and Jeff meet at the Riverow Bookshop in Owego, NY to have a conversation about Bill’s recent book, Thriving on a Riff: Jazz and the Spiritual Life. They have discussed the book in previous episodes but are still digging up fresh soil. Thanks to Riverow Bookshop for hosting this event! Learn more about Riverow Bookshop by clicking here. Theme music: "

Music may come from the imagination – but there must be funding if anyone is ever going to hear it. Bill and Jeff have an honest conversation about the money that makes music heard. They discuss the importance of creating a community of supporters who support the music-making, especially for the recordings of Presbybop Music. A special shout-out to Fractured Atlas, our fiscal spo

Jeff and Bill return to talk about the art of composition. Where do composers find the inspiration for their music? Jeff asks, Bill ponders. Along the way, we hear a couple of clips from Bill’s new compositions. Featured music: “Bright Sorrow” and “Celestia,” composed by Bill Carter (yet unreleased) “Dancing Girl,” composed by Bill Carter, from Dancing Day, Bill Carte

Jeff and Bill are back to discuss Bill's memory of the "top five" jazz concerts he attended. As they banter back and forth, they share brief snippets of amazing musicians that have shaped Bill's musical imagination. Music: snippets of five great musical ensembles, all recorded live. Theme music: "All Thumbs" from Faith in a New Key, Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet Music used

Today, we offer a quick recap of an annual jazz worship service in Clarks Summit, PA. Co-host Bill Carter is the longtime pastor of First Presbyterian Church – and its resident jazz musician. With very little encouragement from Jeff Kellam, Bill shares a recording of his sermon for that service. Brazilian music was featured, so it’s a good opportunity to reflect on the multicul

Season Three begins with a burst! After a couple of minutes of catching up, Jeff Kellam shares an interview with Dante Di Stefano. He’s a brilliant poet and educator with a love for John Coltrane’s music. Let’s listen to what he has to say. We are grateful to the Broome County of Churches, who have facilitated Jeff’s interview with their “Encounter” show on WBNG-TV. The

Episode 41 – Jazz Comes to Church (June 6, 2024) Our two co-hosts talk about bringing jazz into a worship service. How and where does it fit? Bill Carter has been doing this for decades, so he shares some ...

In this musical episode, Bill Carter and Jeff Kellam discuss the development (or redevelopment) of old material, musical or otherwise. Bill introduces a suite of four tunes originally composed for a 2001 concert at Binghamton (NY) University. He has recently revised and updated them for a jazz sextet, and we hear the second “premiere” of the music. Enjoy – there’s a lot of

Here is our first “Mailbag Episode,” where Bill Carter and Jeff Kellam address a burning question from one from our listeners: Which is better? Live jazz or jazz recorded in the studio? Our two raconteurs discuss this, and demonstrate the difference between the studio recording of Bill’s tune, “Rumpelstiltskin” and a very recent live concert recording. Can you hear the di

Jeff asked Bill, "Is composing a new book like composing a jazz tune?" What follows is a lively conversation about writing Thriving on a Riff: Jazz and the Spiritual Life. How was the book put together? What was the process? How is the composition of the book an expression of creativity? Be sure to give this episode a listen. And if you are so inclined, contact our preferred bookse