A Supreme Love
What does jazz have to do with Jesus? In A Supreme Love, William Edgar explains how the music of jazz connects with the hope of the Gospel. It is a fascinating read for lovers of jazz, lovers of music, and better understanding how faith and art intersects with the history of our nation.
Jazz and Slavery
From the beginning, we are shown that jazz cannot be separated from slavery. Slavery is a sin. And like all sins, Jesus remains the solution. The importance of heaven is stressed, and we must be reminded that music – like our humanity – is spiritual.
The communicative nature of jazz can be traced back to slavery. Rhythm and beats were used to send messages, and the vocal approach of spirituals had a distinct element of longing and liberation. This is an academic book, but approachable for those who want to read more about jazz music and black history.
Gospel and Blues
What I found most interesting was how you could trace the growth and joyful nature of Gospel music to the Black experience and the Black church. While it was not initially race-specific, Black Gospel music rose to prominence in the 1920s with superstars Thomas Andrew Dorsey and Mahalia Jackson.
The blues were a natural outgrowth of the work songs and “sorrow songs” heard in slave plantations. Freedom and justice are the themes that come from entrenched racism. This book shows how music and movements are intertwined.
Sorrow and Joy
Ragtime is more of a mystery, but it also contributed to the development of jazz. As piano ragtime bands became prominent in New Orleans, a certain style of music emerged from the scene, with pioneers such as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morten, and Duke Ellington. Jazz would continue to evolve with bepop and cool music.
What I found most moving were the final chapters, which seek to explain how the Christian Gospel message is displayed in jazz. Connections between a jazz performance and congregational worship can be made, and we see the heavy influence of the church in many jazz musicians. Even without explicit mention, the themes of sorrow and joy and the narrative of God’s love resonate deeply. They ring out in worship – if you have ears to hear.
I received a media copy of A Supreme Love and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.