Podcast 341: Spirituality

Holy week for those of the Christian faith begins today, and the first night of Passover, the Jewish festival of freedom, begins tomorrow evening. Last week marked the Baha'I festival of Nowruz, and the Hindu festival of Holi takes place later this week, as does the Sikh holiday of Hola Mohalla.  The Buddhist New Year festival of Theravada takes place on April 6. And of course, the pagan celebration of the Vernal Equinox was just a few days ago. It’s a blessing when these festivals of many faiths coincide on the calendar, reminding us of the great similarities and wonderful differences that make up these faiths. In order to celebrate this season of spirituality, I offer my annual podcast of jazz with a spiritual strain running though the tunes. Click here to listen to Podcast 341, including: Yakov Okun – “Heaven” from New York Encounter. Afro-Semitic Experience – “Oseh Shalom” from Let Us Break Bread Together. Andrew Cyrille with Haitian Fascination – “Spirit Music” from Route de Freres World Saxophone Quartet – “All Praise” from Requiem for Julius. John Zorn – “Jerusalem” from A Vision in Blakelight. Tim Green – “Philippians 4:13” from Songs from This Season. Dave Douglas – “God Be With You” from Be Still. Ernie Watts – “Where the Spirit Lives” from Musician. Jack DeJohnette, Larry Goldings, John Scofield – “Allah Be Praised” from Trio Beyond: Saudades. Linda Oh – “Come Sunday” (featuring Dayna Stephens, Fabian Almazan, Rudy Royston & Jen Shyu) from Initial Here. Charles Lloyd & Jason Moran – “I Shall Be Released” from Hagar’s Song.