Horns and Rhythm - Worship

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     It seems many more churches are rhythm section driven today than they have ever been (ours certainly is-The People's Church, Franklin, TN).
     I have been trying to find a way to utilize a horn section in our contemporary/blended worship services for awhile now. But it seems that most of the arrangements out there are for 'praise band' and they just do not seem to fit with the styles of the contemporary worship driven churches. I wanted to find a way to utilize a contemporary rhythm section and feature a horn section in a way that would not sound like those 'praise band' arrangements from the late 1990s.
     After a number of months of talking to worship pastors, listening to TONS of songs on Itunes and picking worship songs, I have finally finished what I believe to be a COMPLETELY relevant approach to utilizing a horn section in worship.

Horns and Rhythm - Worship
13 Contemporary rhythm-driven arrangements featuring a horn section

     I started by assembling phenomenal musicians and creating amazing worship tracks with the rhythm section. It was a completely collaborative effort with the rhythm players. Once I had rhythm tracks that were powerful and full of energy, I wrote horn arrangements that compliment the rhythm tracks just like I would for any other record that I work on.

     On a number of occasions I have listened to the top 100 downloaded songs on Itunes. Do you know what style I found to be prevalent? There was not one style. There were tons of different styles. Music is truly eclectic today. The one consistent factor was that the style/feel of the songs really complimented the songs themselves.

     So that's what we've done. We've created a somewhat eclectic mix of styles that compliment these amazing worship songs. This project is a cross between a contemporary worship rhythm section, John Mayer, U2, Mr. Holland's Opus, Chicago (HAVE to include Chicago on a horn section record), the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and a little bit of the Top Gun lead guitar sound. There is even a hint of a marching band and drum line on How Great Is Our God (You've GOT to do that LIVE!!!!).

     As an added bonus to this project, every arrangement comes with 2 versions:
          1. Instrumental Version (as heard on the recording)
          2. Congregational Version-adapted by David Shipps to be used for congregational accompaniment

     Click on any song title for a detailed description of the song and for an audio sample.

Comments

[Matt Robb]

Excellent sounding charts - I can't wait to get my hands on these!

Matt

[Randy Elrod]

awesome Jeff. Looks great and great idea!!!

Now, add a blogroll to one of your sidebars and start adding blogs. That will help your Google ranking.

My blog is:
http://www.randyelrod.typepad.com

you may name it Randy Elrod or Ethos

I have added you to my blogroll.

Welcome to the blogosphere. Also, You may really be interested in my seminar coming up on May 6: Lifework 2.0- How To Engage Your Clients In A Digital World. I have a post at Ethos a few days ago. Check it out.

Randy

[Jeff Anderson]

I love this project!!! I hope I win the Ipod Shuffle!
Answers:
1. Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine-Amazing concert. That solidified my love for playing. There is SOOOOO much energy when you add a smokin' horn section to a band.
2. Cold Stone Ice Cream-Cake Batter with Peanut Butter Cup AND Peanut Butter in a Waffle Cone

[Robert Chandler]

For your "arrangers I like" section, I suggest Dan Galbraith. Very laid back, chord-rich material. Chicago-esque in areas.

I know that's a personal column, but just my 2c. The great thing about his charts is that they work well even if you don't have all the horns called for in the chart. Even with our 1 trumpet, 2 trombones and 1 tuba, he writes in very warm colors for horns.

[Brian Crisman]

Hey Jeff,

Long time, no speak. Got the card on this in the mail. I've been hesitant to add horns to our rhythm section because they are so tight and have a great sound. This may inspire me to shake things up a bit and dust off the old Strat.

Brian

[Jeff Anderson]

Yep Brian..Good to hear from you.
Warning-purchasing Horns and Rhythm-Worship could ABSOLUTELY create energy and excitement in your worship service and REALLY REALLY REALLY make you want to practice your horn. Check out the www.instrumentalresources.com Trumpet CDs (5 of them) if you're trying to get back in shape.
Glad things are going well.
Jeff

[Jeff Anderson]

By the way.Briand and Robert..in order to win the IPOD, you have to answer the 2 questions.
:)

[thecobbster]

Hey Jeff!

Just got the postcard in the mail and saw the AnderKamp sign and said to myself "I know him!" The samples sound great...after interning with Randy at TPC, my wife and I moved up to Holland MI to be the worship pastor at First Baptist Church in Zeeland...

Answers...
1. Favorite record with horns is probably Miles David "Kind of Blue"....wow! Also love a lot of Sting's stuff with Chris Botti, Brandford Marsalis, and others at various times. Haven't used horns yet in my church here...our rhythm section is just now starting to tighten up, so I look forward to maybe trying some of your arrangements out later this year! Favorite concert...maybe Wynton Marsalis' Lincoln Jazz Orchestra...they were pretty incredible.
2.I love dessert...my favorite being German Chocolate cake...

Love to hear from you sometime if you get the chance. jeremydcobb@gmail.com

Blessings!

Jeremy

[Robert Chandler]

Hey Jeff!!

Don't enter me for the i-pod! With a plugged-in wife and two teenagers, I'm floating in the little players... Let some other lucky fella win it!

But here are my two answers anyway--because you asked...

Our area of South Louisiana has been rich in band programs since I was a kid. Churches have always pulled together horn ensembles for "big musicals." The advent of the 'horns and rhythm' style has been slowly evolving here.

Our mid-sized church has had horns accompanying worship for years. Now that Lakewood dominates the airwaves, horns in worship are almost expected--especially here in the outer fringes of jazz-laced New Orleans.

Our church is using a small horn section to accompany the Praise Team and Choir in morning services. We just recently worked in an electric guitar to join the acoustics---all to good effect. The balance now is not to lose sight of the "old hymns" in the avalanche of warm bodies on the stage and new praise music in the air.

I'm lucky to be invited occasionally to play with Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, which has a large, mature instrumental praise group. They have used the Jericho Horns charts, lots of Tom Payne and Richard Kingsmore. Those arrangements and that sound made Sunday night worship a 'must-attend' event.

The best 'horn section' I ever heard in person was that of Chicago (and I heard them back in the 70s.) I still watch their DVD on tour with Earth, Wind and Fire. What a jam!

Still love to plug in Blood Sweat and Tears on the way to work.

I don't think anyone can beat Tower of Power when it comes to keeping a tight, fat, funky sound alive for forty years. Theirs is band that has seen some key personnel come and go--but the 'sound' never changes.

Its good to see groups like Denver and the Mile-High Orchestra now gaining a foothold in the marketplace.

There is something in the energy brought by flesh-and-blood players that sampling and keyboards just can't deliver.

Well, that's today's sermon! If you like desert, there's a Strawberry Punchbowl Cake recipe my mother whips up that has won competitions all over the South. Will send a link to the recipe to anyone who is interested.

Cheers to all!!

Robert Chandler
Baton Rouge LA
RobChand58@cox.net

[Doug]

Hello from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX. Thanks for having a contest so that we are "pushed to post" and can see what others are doing with horns in the ministry!

Shepherd of the Hills has used horns in worship services for more than a dozen years now. We have a wind band that plays about twice a month in our traditional services. We've used Anderkamp Music for years now, and really like it.

But, we've never had any horns that wanted to play with the Praise Band, mainly because there were no charts available. That will probably change now with the Horns & Rhythm series. Great addition to the catalog.

Favorite horn section concert - Rhythm and Brass (http://www.rhythm-brass.com/home.html). Nice, tight group - excellent sound!

Favorite horn section recording - Side Street Strutters. I love dixieland and these guys have it down pat. They put on a nice concert, too. (http://www.sidestreetstrutters.com/)

Dessert - would have to be white chocolate cookies with macadamia nuts

[John Armitage]

Greetings from Kingwood, Texas (30 miles North of Houston). We have been looking for some fresh, new praise band arrangements and I think we struck gold with these charts! They sound fantastic and our guys can't wait to play them. (Especially our guitar players). Most praise band arrangements are piano based with a solo instrument, but your arrangements are so diverse and unique.

Woodridge started a contemporary service about 10 years ago (when I was just a member and not on staff) and they only had a rhythm section and 1 sax player who played by ear. There wasn't much in the way of written contemporary horn charts back then. Over the years we've grown into a contemporary blended service that still utilizes a rhythm section with 2 trumpets, 1 sax (I wish I had a tenor also) 2 flutes, and 2 trombones. The group plays most every Sunday (except when the sax and lead trumpet are out) and generally plays either an offertory or a call to worship.

I think my favorite horn section concert was Earth Wind & Fire when they toured with Chicago. That was the best of both worlds for me.

My favorite horn section recordings are anything by: Old School - Chuck Mangione, Maynard Ferguson, Earth Wind & Fire, and Miami Sound Machine. New School - Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, and other various gospel horn sections.

My favorite dessert? Seriously? Jeff, you really need some help. But if you must know I will have to go with homemade banana pudding.

Keep up the great writing!

[Daryl Knapp]

Jeff,
Horns I think really make the music zing. I've played a tuba and trombone since 5th grade and can't think of better sound. I like Howard Johnson and Gravity, with Jericho Horns thrown in.
For desert, that is a hard problem because I have been a pastry chef and like all kinds of things. Probably would have to go with a Sinful Chocolate Cheesecake (has 5 different layers of chocolate - from the crust to the white chocolate ganache on top.

[Mark Freitas]

Hi Jeff,

Great job on these charts -- our band (and congregation) is enjoying every one! We're doing 2 this Sunday. Hope you'll come up with volumes 2,3,...

Keep up the great work!

[Morris Driggers]

Right now my horn section (when we use one) is just my 17-year-old on trombone and my 14-year-old on trumpet. Listening to these makes me want to grow up a horn section in this small town.

I serve as minister of music at FBC in Clinton, SC ... have been here for 8 years. It's a great church in a great town. We do "contemporary" at 8:30 and "traditional" at 11:00.

I grew up listening to Chicago and playing some of their stuff in HS marching band. I've seen the Dallas Brass in concert and love their stuff.

Favorite dessert has to be pecan pie.

[Lee Hake]

Hey Jeff!

Just got your Horns and Rhythm latest release. We will be using the charts in our evening worship service at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas a church of 3500 members.

I believe we have all the arrangements that you have published for Jericho Horns.

Personally, I take the 2nd Trombone part and transpose it for Bari Sax. Our Horns praise band, called Gabriel, uses Alto, Tenor and Bari Saxes (along with doubles), Two trumpets and one trombone along with four rhythm.

We are featured every month at College Church, sometimes more.

My favorite horn arrangers are Jeff Anderson, James Pankow, and Chris McDonald. In addition to Gabriel, I also direct Exodus Big Band-Kansas City's Christian Big Band and we enjoyed the Little Big Band arrangements last Christmas.

Took time out from preparing for Exodus performance this Sunday evening (June 1) with guest soloist Jerry Nelson on piano from Denver, Colorado to answer your email with this comment.

I believe I answered all your questions except CHERRY PIE with lots of ice cream!

Blessing and gratitude for your work!

Lee

[James Dollar]

Hey Jeff. I did some events with you and babbie in the 90's haha--way back!--great arrangements!!---I am looking for some Inst Christmas music in the same vein. any Ideas? James Dollar Cleveland ga.