Jazz Mass Review
It seems the Jazz Church team have done it again, delivering yet another exciting and thought-provoking worship service! Arguably their most adventurous project to date, replete with an expanded horn section and a jazz choir, the congregation were led in a truly inspirational rendition of Scott Stroman’s ‘Jazz Mass’. From the opening bars of the sombre Kyrie Eleison, to the jubilant choral echoes of ‘pacem’ (peace), concluding the Agnus Dei, we were led on a contemplative journey of discovery as we explored the mystery of the Eucharist.
Rev. Jayne Webb presided, as we sang our way through excerpts from the Latin Mass, put to moving Jazz compositions. Translations of the Latin text appeared on the screen, interspersed with inspirational images, aiding us in reflection. Musical highlights included the joyous Latin-American groove of the Gloria, following the absolution, and the instrumental twelve-bar blues during the distribution – reminding us that communion is a celebration, not just a time for quiet and contemplation! Jayne shared a wonderful message about what Christ’s work means in light of ‘God’s time’. Drawing on the theme of remembrance, through an exposition of Exodus 12 and Luke 22, she spoke of the exciting truth that remembering Jesus is not simply a passive, backwards glance into the past, but an all-consuming, ongoing participation in the eternal Christ-event. In the act of communion the Church actually relives this event, because it belongs to God’s eternal time. In this sense it transcends our human, linear time world, thus having cosmic implications for our future in God – a future that we begin to experience now, in the mysterious event we call ‘communion’.
Perhaps the most compelling thing about the whole service was how well integrated it was, the music flowing seamlessly with the spoken liturgy, engaging our hearts and minds as we were drawn into an exploration of the theme. The impact of this was really summed up for me afterward, when I overheard someone remark that it was the first time they could remember being really challenged to reflect on a deeper level about the act of communion. I only hope this won’t have been the first and last time I have the opportunity to experience the Jazz Mass!
John Pearson