Contemporary Jazz Mass

Description

Contemporary Jazz Mass is a live album by the American jazz pianist James Tatum (the labels credit the group as James Tatum Trio Plus), independently released on Tatum’s custom label JTTP Records ‎in 1974. The album was recorded live at St. Cecilia in Detroit, Michigan; with James Tatum producing.

A gem of independent Detroit jazz, reissued for the first time. James Tatum’s stunning, spiritualized Contemporary Jazz Mass is one of the only true jazz masses ever released. Inspired by Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts, Tatum’s masterwork was recorded during it’s first-ever performance at St Cecilia Church in Detroit, and released on Tatum’s own private label in 1974. A professional music educator and jazz composer, Tatum had been working as a teacher in Detroit, and in the long aftermath of the 1967 riots he began teaching music to local children in St Cecilia’s. The church commissioned the mass in 1972, and Tatum put together an ensemble of singers from within the church, backed by his own trio and local jazz musicians. Looking toward the great sacred works of Ellington, but with lyrics drawn straight from liturgy, Contemporary Jazz Mass is a unique work of sanctified vocal jazz – nourishment for the spirit and soul, brought back to you by Jazzman Records as part of it’s esteemed Holy Grail Series. The CD version also includes Tatum’s independent second release, Live at the Orchestra Hall & Paradise Theater (1980). Another breathtaking long-form vocal jazz composition, it was conceived as a trip through the deep history of African-American music, expressing the spirit and sound of the past through the medium of jazz music and song. All tracks fully licensed and digitally restored. Includes comprehensive, detailed liner notes with pictures and information from Jazzman’s interviews with James Tatum himself. CD includes eight-page color booklet.

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/contemporary-jazz-mass-live-at-orchestra-hall-the/1090326594)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Introduction/Lord Have Mercy” – 6:17
A2. “Glory To God” – 3:54
A3. “Alleluia” – 3:59
A4. “Offertory” – 4:36

Side Two
B1. “Holy, Holy, Holy” – 2:42
B2. “Amen” – 2:17
B3. “The Lord’s Prayer” – 3:45
B4. “Rite Of Peace” – 3:17
B5. “Lamb Of God” – 2:20
B6. “Communion” – 6:23

Note: Remastered and re-issued on both 12-inch vinyl LP and CD by Jazzman Records in 2016 as a part of their Jazzman Holy Grail Series. The vinyl version is limited to 1000 numbered copies.

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