Composer and pianist J.J. Wright’s newest CD featuring the J.J. Wright Trio, Vespers for the Feast of the Transfiguration, is now available for pre-order and will be released on August 4th, 2017. Recorded live at Saint Peter’s Church in NYC as part of their celebrated “Jazz Vespers” series, Wright’s Vespers is a contemporary take on the traditional Christian Liturgy of the Hours, which is prayed daily by religious and lay persons around the world. The album incorporates contemporary jazz into the familiar Vespers form, resulting in a holistic listening and worship experience.
Listeners can expect the trio, which includes bassist Ike Sturm and drummer Nate Wood, to create a revolutionary blend of Gregorian Chant psalm tones, recognizable hymns and even popular artist Sufjan Stevens’ "The Transfiguration". Drawing from the documents of Vatican II and Pope Francis’ most recent exhortation to artists to sacred musicians, the service is designed to encourage all congregational members toward “full, conscious, and active participation”, regardless of musical ability. The mix of the familiar and the novel demands listener’s interest and draws them into a new encounter with an ancient form of prayer. Fr. James Martin, Jesuit priest and author of "Jesus: A Pilgrimage", notes: "I love J.J. Wright's glorious music, and his new Transfiguration Vespers are composed and performed in his inimitable style: lively, prayerful and inspiring, artfully mixing both the traditional and modern. He's one of the most talented and creative musicians working today.”
J.J. Wright made waves with his trio and Fifth House Ensemble in 2016 with the debut of O Emmanuel, a Christmas oratorio written for the University of Notre Dame Children’s Choir and distributed by Dynamic Catholic. Wright’s other projects include Inward Looking Outward featuring the J.J. Wright Trio and We Turn Around with experimental group Turn Around Norman.
In 2016, a documentary style film by the same name was featured on Salt and Light Television and Catholic TV. Vespers, directed by Tom Sandak, will continue to be broadcast through additional television partnerships and at 2017 film festivals. More information can be found at: www.transfigurationvespers.com
credits
released August 4, 2017
J.J. Wright – Piano
Ike Sturm – Bass
Nate Wood – Drums
Sharon Harms – Vocalist
Ashley Daneman – Vocalist