Heaven in Nightclub

What happens when you cross Duke Ellington, Mahalia Jackson, and a philosophy professor talking about oppression and freedom? Heaven in a Nightclub.

Featuring multiple Grammy Award-winner John Patitucci, the music of this live performance is, to borrow a phrase from Zora Neale Hurston, best described as “a collage sensibility which emanates from the desire for beauty in the midst of trouble.” It is a collage of jazz mixed with spirituals sung by Ruth Naomi Floyd and a bass solo by John Patitucci all interwoven with Bill Edgar’s narration of African-American slaves who adopted the religion of their oppressors as their own, which inspired hope for exodus and deliverance. The spirituals and jazz emanate from this people, their struggle, and their understanding of the biblical story.

On May 5, 2007, we hosted a benefit concert in New York City for our non-profit ministry, the Chesterton House, which is a Christian study center affiliated with Cornell University designed to help students explore the interweaving of culture, Christian faith, learning, and life.

The Heaven in a Nightclub concert grew out of our mission to see Christians engage the world around them and enjoy such gifts of history, music, and life from the Creator.

Two of the featured performers, William Edgar & Ruth Naomi Floyd, will be at Jubilee this year! This may be a way to catch some students’ attention. Or if you just love good gifts that come down from the Father–jazz, spirituals, story–then it will be of interest.

To purchase Heaven in a Nightclub and hear samples of each track, go to <http://cdbaby.com/cd/williamedgar>. Or select the link on the Chesterton House website, www.chestertonhouse.org.

Also, it was reviewed by Byron. Here is the link: http://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/reviews/three_rare_exceptional_recordi/.

Justin McGeary

Director of Undergraduate Programs at the Chesterton House