If you think that there is a separation of church and the state of jazz, let pianist John Paul McGee straighten you out. He’s recorded here at the First Congregational Church in Atlanta, Georgia with a core team of Joel Powell/b and Tyson Jackson, and brings in a few guests to preach it to the faithful.
The songs are all either traditional church spirituals, or originals with an eternal focus, with Amber Bullock bringing in an earnest voice on “Heaven” and Wendi Henderson-Wyatt glowing with strings in support on “Here’s To Life” McGee himself puts the “Amazing” back into “Amazing Grace” in a trio format and is passionate on his solo recitative of “I AM Amazed”, glowing like a candle with Bullock on a rich duet on “A City Called Heaven”. A perfect mix of celebration and soul.