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 By John Cody
Conceived in 1965 and recorded in 1968, Hear, O Israel: A Prayer Ceremony In Jazz is an incredible, one-of-a-kind recording.
Composed by Jonathan Klein, then a 17 year old Orthodox Jew, the work combined Hebrew worship with modern jazz, and was originally intended to accompany Friday night prayer service in Worcester, New York.
The undertaking proved successful, and was subsequently staged in a number of synagogues throughout the East Coast.
A live recording from one such service features several heavyweights: Herbie Hancock on piano and bassist Rob Carter, both with Miles Davis at the time; Thad Jones on trumpet; drummer Grady Tate; and Jerome Richardson on reeds. They were joined by Klein on French horn, along with a pair of female vocalists offering wordless accompaniment.
 Outside of a Rabbi reciting scripture on two tracks, it’s pretty much a straight ahead jazz date. It might be Hebrew prayer, but the band swings throughout - with a hard, post-bop sound. The result is far more accessible, for instance, than John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme - one of the few major works to mix jazz and religion, and the closest comparison.
In spite of the players’ pedigree, the album was unknown to all but the most fervent collectors. Only a few hundred copies were pressed, and those were only available at prayer services. Klein himself disappeared years ago – no one seems to know his whereabouts since the early 70s.
A few years back, British collector Jonny Trunk chanced upon a copy of the LP, and after some detective work, secured rights for a proper reissue. Surprisingly, the sound quality - mastered from an original vinyl - is excellent throughout. The album was recorded live, but as it was a prayer service, there’s no applause or any other extraneous noise.
As fresh as the day it was recorded, Hear O, Israel is a magnificent, inspiring work, and an unqualified success on every level.
• • • •
A column earlier this year on jazz and spirituality elicited a response from the office of piano legend Dave Brubeck.
I had mentioned his 1973 cantata Truth Is Fallen, and subsequently received a large package of CDs and a DVD which made it abundantly clear Truth Is Fallen was hardly a onetime event. Brubeck has amassed a considerable catalogue of sacred works, and faith plays a crucial role in all his endeavors.
In the 1950s, Brubeck and his classic quartet were cerebral yet swinging. Taking tricky time signatures into the hit parade with trend setters like ‘Take Five’ and ‘Unsquare Dance,’ they made the brave new world that much more sophisticated.
By the end of the 60s, he had disbanded the group in order to devote more time to symphonic works - the majority of which are sacred, and, not surprisingly, just as technically demanding as his earlier material.
 | | Photo by Roland Godefroy, courtesy of GNU Free Documentation License |
While his initial fame came from jazz, he’s written choral masses (over 50 vocal works alone), orchestral pieces, ballet suites, string quartets, and even a musical. Only a fraction of his liturgical work has been recorded.
Brubeck’s first major classical work, The Light In the Wilderness: An Oratorio For Today premiered in 1968, and focused on the gospel story. The following year brought The Gates of Justice, a cantata composed after the assassination of Martin Luther King.
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A series of anti-Semitic incidents had occurred the same year, and Gates was in part a call for unity - for African-Americans and Jews to appreciate their shared histories of enslavement and suffering, and come together in the spirit of brotherhood.
Researching the piece, Brubeck said he was surprised at how similar the Hebraic chant is to black spirituals and blues music.
In addition to quotes from King and Hebraic scripture, lyrics were written by Iola, Brubeck’s wife and long-time collaborator. The couple, who have six children, recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Perhaps his most popular major work, To Hope! A Celebration is a Mass in the Revised Roman Ritual. Debuting in 1980, it has gone on to be performed across the globe. A 1995 performance from the Washington National Cathedral – which Brubeck describes as being one of the most memorable moments of his life – was issued by Telarc.
The DVD Brubeck Returns To Moscow documents a Russian performance of To Hope!, and includes a fascinating interview. Queried as to whether the piece implied he was a Roman Catholic, he responds: “I wasn’t when I wrote it - and after I finished it, I joined.” Brubeck was raised in the Presbyterian Church - but, he laughs, “they forgot to baptize me!”
Vocals dominate Brubeck In Chattanooga. Some pieces are entirely accapella, while others offer minimal accompaniment.
Opening with a fascinating, polytonal vocal arrangement of the Christmas classic ‘We Three Kings,’ the disc includes the world premiere of ‘Yes We Have Our Cross To Bear,’ both as a chorale and a swing version; and a choral treatment of ‘Regret’ - with the title sung repeatedly, producing an haunting, almost spellbinding effect.
The disc is available exclusively through the website www.choralartsofchattanooga.org.
There’s much, much more, including: recent efforts like The Commandments, a six minute choral work; his Easter Oratorio ‘Beloved Son,’ the Pentecost Oratorio ‘The Voice of the Holy Spirit;’ and ‘Upon This Rock,’ which Brubeck premiered personally for Pope John Paul II during his American visit in 1987.
Despite his advanced age, there’s no hint of slowing down. Brubeck turns 88 years old this month, but he’s as busy as ever - composing new works and touring the world with his quartet. Here’s to many more years from one of American greatest musical treasures.
 | | Dave Brubeck and his wife Lola in 1985 |
Dave Brubeck: Brubeck In Chattanooga [Choral Arts of Chattanooga 2002]
Brubeck: The Gates Of Justice Dave Brubeck Trio, Kevin Deas, Tom Hall, Alberto Mizrahi; Russell Gloyd, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, [Milken Archive]
Brubeck: To Hope! A Celebration (A Mass In The Revised Roman Ritual), [Telarc]
Dave Brubeck Returns to Moscow, [DWP]
December 2008
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