J.J. Wright Music

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“VESPERS FOR THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION” NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Grammy-award winning and Billboard Chart topping musician J.J. Wright combines the ancient and the modern for an unforgettable listening experience.

CHICAGO, Illinois -- Saturday, May 13th, 2017 -- Composer and pianist J.J. Wright’s newest CD featuring the J.J. Wright Trio, Vespers for the Feast of the Transfiguration, is now available for pre-order at TransfigurationVespers.bandcamp.com and will be released on August 4th, 2017. Recorded  live at Saint Peter’s Church in NYC as part of their celebrated “Jazz Vespers” series, Wright’s Vespers is a contemporary take on the traditional Christian Liturgy of the Hours, which is prayed daily by religious and lay persons around the world. The album incorporates contemporary  jazz into the familiar Vespers form, resulting in a holistic listening and worship experience.

Listeners can expect the trio, which includes bassist Ike Sturm and drummer Nate Wood, to create a revolutionary blend of Gregorian Chant psalm tones, recognizable hymns and even popular artist Sufjan Stevens’ "The Transfiguration". Drawing from the documents of Vatican II and Pope Francis’ most recent exhortation to artists to sacred musicians, the service is designed to encourage all congregational members toward “full, conscious, and active participation”, regardless of musical ability. The mix of the familiar and the novel demands listener’s interest and draws them into a new encounter with an ancient form of prayer. Fr. James Martin, Jesuit priest and author of "Jesus: A Pilgrimage", notes: "I love J.J. Wright's glorious music, and his new Transfiguration Vespers are composed and performed in his inimitable style: lively, prayerful and inspiring, artfully mixing both the traditional and modern. He's one of the most talented and creative musicians working today.”

J.J. Wright made waves with his trio and Fifth House Ensemble in 2016 with the debut of O Emmanuel, a Christmas oratorio written for the University of Notre Dame Children’s Choir and distributed by Dynamic Catholic. Wright’s other projects include Inward Looking Outward featuring the J.J. Wright Trio and We Turn Around with experimental group Turn Around Norman.

In 2016, a documentary style film by the same name was featured on Salt and Light Television and Catholic TV. Vespers, directed by Tom Sandak, will continue to be broadcast through additional television partnerships and at 2017 film festivals. More information can be found at: http://www.transfigurationvespers.com/

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Tallis Scholars Masterclass at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

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Herbert Howells, Office of Holy Communion - Gloria | J.J. Wright, Conductor

To celebrate the final week of Ordinary Time and end of the church year, here is Herbert Howells' Gloria from the Office of Holy Communion. 

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Herbert Howells, Requiem - Requiem Aeternam II | J.J. Wright, Conductor

Footage from my recent conducting recital, featuring the works of English composer, Herbert Howells. This video features the Notre Dame Recital Choir and was recorded September 13, 2015 at St. Joseph Chapel, Holy Cross College. 

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"Inward Looking Outward" Chosen for "Best of 2014" Lists

Inward Looking Outward has been selected for two "Best of 2014" lists so far: 

http://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/12/09/s-victor-aarons-best-2014-part-2-4-modern-mainstream-jazz-keith-jarrett-brian-blade-mattew-shipp-brian-blade-matthew-shipp/

"Uncommonly fresh and quietly inventive, Inward Looking Outward breathes new life into the venerable ol’ piano trio without having to step outside to achieve that. A rare achievement, to be sure." - S. Victor Aaron

http://tedgioia.com/bestalbumsof2014.html

"Under-the-radar jazz album that deserves your attention." - Ted Gioia

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Performing the Scholarship: Vespers for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

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og 'making it rain'. #angels #flowers (at Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame)

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Musical Thoughts on the Transfiguration

August 6th is the day when Christians celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration in the Liturgical Calendar. Biblical events and the lives of the Saints are commemorated on specific days throughout the year so as to provide us daily reminders about the many inspiring and miraculous stories from Christian history. The Transfiguration is the story of Jesus revealing his divinity to the apostles Peter, James, and John. It's one of the pivotal moments in the Gospel where Jesus himself is miraculously transformed as a preview of both his death and Resurrection. In our own lives, we can all relate to that moment where our experience transcends the normal world, where a bridge is formed between the literal and the implied, the physical and the metaphysical, the natural and the supernatural, and this story reminds us of just that. 

On Inward Looking Outward, "The Transfiguration" plays a pivotal role in the musical narrative for the listener. The track is near the end of the record and acts as a transition from the earlier tracks' feeling of a journey to the record's arrival point. From here, the narrative calms down and sends the listener forth with the final track of "Take Me Home". 

Take a moment today to reflect on this Feast and check out Sufjan's lyrics below as you listen: 

"The Transfiguration" by Sufjan Stevens

When he took the three disciples to the mountainside to pray His countenance was modified, his clothing was aflame Two men appeared, Moses and Elijah came They were at his side The prophecy, the legislation spoke Of whenever he would die Then there came a word of what he should accomplish on the day Then Peter spoke, to make of them a tabernacle place A cloud appeared in glory as an accolade They fell on the ground A voice arrived, the voice of God The face of God covered in a cloud What he said to them, the voice of God, the most beloved son Consider what he says to you, consider what's to come The prophecy was put to death, was put to death And so will the son And keep your word, disguise the vision Till the time has come Lost in the cloud, a voice Have no fear, we draw near Lost in the cloud, a sign Son of man, turn your ear Lost in the cloud, a voice Lamb of God, we draw near Lost in the cloud, a sign Son of man, son of God

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Beautiful window. #basilica #notredame #sword #gangsta @pipeorgancds (at Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame)

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#NotreDame #basilica #symmetry

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Evening blueberry picking with the boys. (at Blueberry Ranch)

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New Review from Richard Kamins at Step Tempest

Pianist/composer J.J. Wright, while much younger than Denny Zeitlin (at least, 40 years), has varied interests, especially in music. He studied jazz improvisation at The New School for Jazz in New York City and is currently Director of Sacred Music at Sacred Heart  Parish at the University of Notre Dame. He has performed with the US Naval Academy Band and with vibraphonist David Samuels.  Wright also composed and performed with the quartet Turn Around Norman, initially based in the Baltimore, MD-area. For his debut as a leader "Inward Looking Outward" (Ropeadope Records), Wright works and plays with Nate Wood (drums) and Ike Sturm (bass) on a 9-song program consisting of 6 originals and 1 tune each by Sufjan Stevens ("Little Person"), Jon Brion ("The Tranfigurations") and Phil Collins ("Take Me Home"). The first impression this listener had is just how upfront Wood's drums are in the mix.  One might make a connection to the sonic quality of The Bad Plus (Wood is as active a drummer as TBP's Dave King) but Wright has a different touch and attack than Ethan Iverson. Still, there are moments such as on the Brion tune where, in the piano-bass duet part of the song, the pianist's left hand work has the flavor of EI's.  Wright brings in one tune from his "..Norman" days, the funky "Consolations."  Sturm's thick tone and buoyant bass lines mesh well with Wood's active and dancing drums.  The pianist rides with and atop the beat, creating a hypnotic feel.  The 5-section "JTC", separate compositions spread through the program, ranges from the hard-edged "II" that opens the CD to the classically flavored "I" that follows. The latter track takes its time to develop, going through different tempos and melodic ideas before Wright's solo hits its stride. "III" is a soulful gospel-tinged, ballad (not unlike a Randy Newman ballad); un-rushed, the piece takes its time but is a highly satisfying journey. There's more than a hint of Bud Powell and Chick Corea in the rhythm and melodic movement on "IV" (Wood flat-out "swings" while Sturm "walks" or offers strong counterpoint.  "V" also is a gospel-infused ballad , this time leaning more to sound and feel of Richard Manuel of The Band.  Wood sets the pace on the Phil Collins song, a beat that neither wavers nor flags.  Wright presents the melody without flash or false sentiments.  The Trio does an admirable job of raising the intensity as they move to the final choruses and emotional climax, leaving the drummer to take the song "home." J.J. Wright makes a powerful, musical, debut on "Inward Looking Outward" (also an apropos title for a recording) - his interactions with Nate Wood and Ike Sturm seem natural not forced and one can tell he felt comfortable to be himself (letting the rhythm section do what they do best.) For more information, go to jjwrightmusic.com. 

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"Inward Looking Outward" Available for Pre-Order

I am happy to announce that my new album Inward Looking Outward is now available for pre-order on bandcamp. Digital and physical copies are available and come with instant download of two tracks from the record. Release day is August 19th, upon which you'll either receive your CD in the mail and/or be able to download the rest of the record from bandcamp. You can check out the tracks and share or purchase the record below!

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Sacred Music at Notre Dame crew at #NPM #StLouis. (at St. Loius Gateway Arch, Missouri)

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Mad ink #stlouis #cathedral #basilica #npm

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August 19. @ropeadope99

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#oregonbachfestival (at Hult Center for the Performing Arts/City of Eugene)