In a stunning new album, trombone jazz virtuoso Bob McChesney, along with star-power bandmates drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist Kevin Axt, guitarist Larry Koonse, and Grammy-winning pianist/arranger Bill Cunliffe, releases a collection of 12 songs of praise and spirituality, called Come Sunday, named for the Duke Ellington classic.

The McChesney ensemble, flanked by a luscious string section and choir on several songs, take us on a spiritual jazz journey whose beauty of sound and soul leaves the listener washed clean, uplifted, and in a Heavenly space. In this setting, McChesney’s well-known wizardry on the trombone is glorious and pure, while he gives each of the stellar musicians plenty of room for their own beautiful interpretations of these treasured melodies.

Bob recalls his first meeting with Bill to discuss Come Sunday. “I wanted to explore playing jazz on the songs I grew up hearing in church, and after I had chosen my favorites, it just happened to be twelve songs, which is interestingly the number of the Lord’s Disciples. I brought the idea to my pal Bill Cunliffe, who, in addition to many jazz projects, has composed and arranged beautiful sacred music for church services. He was delighted to delve right in with me to arrange the songs for these great players, Vinnie, Kevin and Larry.”

Among the titles in this elegant collection, are Simple Gifts (Shaker Song) done as a fast waltz; The Theme from Exodus, featuring Bill Cunliffe on piano; Praise God (Doxology), with choir; Crown Him with Many Crowns features Larry Koonse; In This Very Room showcases drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and Kevin Axt on bass; Holy, Holy, Holy, done as a gorgeous ballad with strings and choir; and the title track, Come Sunday, in a medium-swing feel, perfect for Bob’s beautiful playing to soar above the band.

Bob continues, “It’s a little unusual for this music to be done instrumentally, it’s so typically sung.  But Bill and I felt that presenting these beloved songs in a jazzy instrumental setting might be a new and uniquely spiritual experience for listeners. It is my hope that listeners find the album musically enjoyable, and deeply satisfying.”