Larry McDonough: Have a Little Faith in Jazz

From its origins in spirituals and gospel,

jazz always has been closely intertwined

with messages of faith. Larry

McDonough has continued the

tradition by taking pieces of faith,

and pieces containing elements of

faith, and putting his stamp of

altered harmonies, rhythms and

meters to create new arrangements

for a new generation.

McDonough’s new quartet CD,

“Simple Gifts” (2005), his first

studio group recording, contains

“Ode to Joy” done as a waltz in

the style of Bill Evans,

“Simple Gifts” sung in 7/4 time

with minor harmonies, and the

meditative “Tuscarora” based on

the Northern Minnesota lake,

first recorded on “Tuscarora:

Short Stories for Jazz Piano.”

McDonough first explored the genre

in his first solo CD, “Small Steps”

(2001), with his arrangement of

“Nature Boy.” While many consider

the piece only as a beautiful jazz

standard made famous by Nat King

Cole and George Benson and a

generation later, the lyric of a wise,

strange and enchanted boy with a

message of being loved and loving

others is unmistakable in its

message of faith.

McDonough’s second solo CD,

“Tuscarora: Short Stories for Jazz

Piano” (2003), contained original music,

as well as arrangements of jazz,

popular, religious, and historical music

in different times signatures and

harmonies. From McDonough’s

liner notes:

“I wrote Tuscarora after finding what

remains my favorite lake in the Boundary

Waters Canoe Area in Northern

Minnesota. A long portage on the east

side keeps the remote lake from many visitors. Its combination of clear water, bluffs, beaches, fishing holes, and landscapes made it the perfect site for contemplation.

“'Amazing Grace' often is viewed only in its religious context, but it also speaks with strength of the potential of all people to review their priorities and find new and higher directions. By placing the piece in 5/4 time and first in minor harmonies with later resolution to major, I sought to capture this evolution. It is dedicated to the late great pianist Bobby Peterson, whose faith and music were one.

...

'We Shall Overcome' continues my interest in interpreting historical pieces with jazz harmonies, and is dedicated to my late friends Paul and Sheila Wellstone, Roger Cobb, Paul Marino, and Bernie Becker, whose tireless work for social justice always gave me hope, and to my daughters Kelsey and Shannon, who continue to reach for new heights, and Rosie, who overcomes disabilities every day."

McDonough regularly performs these and other jazz influenced pieces of faith in church services in his home state of Minnesota, as well as around the country. Recent performances have included:

First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia

2125 Chestnut St.

Philadelphia, PA

215-563-3980

jonherrick@aol.com

jherrick@cloudgehshan.com

http://www.firstuu-philly.org

West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church

5904 W. Cholla Street

Glendale, AZ 85304

(623) 846-6004

http://www.wvuu.org