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"Time and Mercy was the perfect addition to our musical and liturgical offerings this past Lenten season. Mike and Chris are true professionals who managed to both capture the reverence of well-worn hymns and breathe new life into familiar melodies. Our congregation was thoroughly impressed with Mike and Chris' musicianship, wam presence, and interactive presentation that perfectly fit the season. We can't wait to have them visit our church again!" - Alicia Phelps, Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church |
"These hauntingly beautiful reimaginations of familiar and favorite hymns remain faithful to the original composer’s work, while inviting listeners to hear them with fresh ears." |
Musicians Mike Effenberger (piano) and Chris Klaxton (trumpet) have a long history of performing together in a variety of contexts and styles - improvisation being central to nearly every project.
As gigging jazz musicians holding long-standing positions as UCC church choir directors, both Mike and Chris have found a host of spirituals and hymns to be as fertile a landscape for rearrangement and improvisation as any American Songbook standard.
Time and Mercy creates a sacred space all its own by embracing traditional religious music through a range of styles native to gospel, jazz, and the avant garde.
Time and Mercy is available for performances OR performance / lecture presentations, discussing the history of improvisation in the church, the intersection of the sacred and secular, Black American Music, and the duo's musical arranging process.
As gigging jazz musicians holding long-standing positions as UCC church choir directors, both Mike and Chris have found a host of spirituals and hymns to be as fertile a landscape for rearrangement and improvisation as any American Songbook standard.
Time and Mercy creates a sacred space all its own by embracing traditional religious music through a range of styles native to gospel, jazz, and the avant garde.
Time and Mercy is available for performances OR performance / lecture presentations, discussing the history of improvisation in the church, the intersection of the sacred and secular, Black American Music, and the duo's musical arranging process.
