The Spirit Is Moving: A Jazz Liturgy of Renewal
The Spirit Is Moving: A Jazz Liturgy of Renewal
Listen to Reference Recordings Here
Download Bulletin Images and Slides for Congregational Singing Here
The Spirit Is Moving: A Jazz Liturgy of Renewal combines the spirituality of the jazz tradition with the liturgical traditions of the Church. The music is designed to be both participatory and sacred art and to move the body and the Spirit in worship.It features:
Musical settings of the “Kyrie”, “Glory To God”, “Psalm Setting”, “Gospel Acclamation”, “Lenten Acclamation”, Great Thanksgiving”, “Sanctus” and “Lamb of God”
Quick to learn melodies and infectious grooves
Fully notated piano and bass parts geared towards musicians without jazz training
Lead sheets for concert pitch instruments and vocal leaders
Instrumental lead sheets in B-flat, E-flat, and bass clef
Downloadable parts for congregational singing (PowerPoint and image file formats)
Downloadable professional reference recordings
The Spirit is Moving celebrates Christian faith through jazz, combining tradition with innovation, and provides a joyful new experience for congregational worship.
Cover design and layout: Marc Manke and Sydney Schmitz
©2025 Jon Ailabouni Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
NOTES TO WORSHIP LEADEr
This liturgy includes a “Kyrie”, “Glory to God”, “Psalm Setting”, “Gospel Acclamation”, “Lenten Acclamation”, “Great Thanksgiving”, “Preface”, “Sanctus”, and “Lamb of God”.
The “Psalm Setting” provides a refrain and psalm tone to chant any psalm text.
The “Preface” serves as musical underscore for spoken prayers after the Great Thanksgiving and just before the “Sanctus”.
Each arrangement is crafted for the core instrumentation of piano, bass, and drum set in mind.
Piano and bass parts are fully notated for classically-trained musicians along with chord symbols for jazz-trained musicians.
Rhythm section players should feel free to improvise their accompaniment figures and interpret the arrangement as they would in any jazz setting.
The piano part can be used alone to lead congregational singing.
Use of a vocal cantor is recommended to help lead the congregational singing.
Lead sheets in concert pitch can be used for drums and vocal leaders
Instrumental lead sheets in B-flat, E-flat, and bass clef are included.
Add instrumentalists to double the melody, harmonize, or improvise on the chord changes provided.