Podcast 422: Spirituality

The Spring is truly the season of spiritual awakengin and celebration. Holy week for those of the Christian faith begins today, and the first night of Passover, the Jewish festival of freedom, begins tomorrow evening as does the festival of Vaisaki, celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs.  Theravada,  the New Year festival for Theravada Buddhists, is celebrated for three days begining April 15. April 21 begins the Baha'i festival of Ridvan, and Pagan/Wiccan followers this week commemorate the end of the Celtic Tree Month Alder and beginning of the Celtic Tree Month of Willow. 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 in Podcast 422 (previous Podcasts can be found for 2013, 2011, and 2010), including: Herbie Mann - "Shomyo (Monk's Chant)" from Gagku & Beyond.. Jay Hoggard & James Weidman - "God Will Guide" from Songs of Spiritual Love. Randy Weston - "Recieving the Spirit" from Randy Weston African Rhythms Quintet & The Gnwa Master Musician of Morocco. Richard Davis with John Hicks - "Life Every Voice and Sing the Lord's Prayer" from The Bassist - Homage to Diversity. John Zorn - "Office Nr. 9 'The Passion'- V. Holy Spirit" from The Hermetic Organ: St. Paul's Chapel, NYC Vol. 2. The Afro-Semitic Experience - "Avadim Hayinu" from Jazz Souls on Fire Mark Turner - "Jesus Maria" from Ballad Season. Sean Jones - "John 3:16" from Roots.