Welcome to Baecker Music Productions
You are listening to the John Cooper Jazz Orchestra's performance of This Little Light of Mine from the Baecker Jazz Worship Service. Visit other areas of our site to preview clips from the CD. Read more about this fantastic new recording in the Liner Notes.
Friday, June 6, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m. John Cooper Jazz Orchestra presents the Baecker Jazz Worship Service @ the 44th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Conference United Church of Christ.
REVIVE...REFRESH...RENEW (Matthew 9:18-26)
Double Tree Hotel and Conference Center
10 Brickyard Drive Bloomington, IL 61710
309.664.6446
On Sunday, May 4, 2008 @11:00 a.m., St. Paul UCC of Pekin, IL continued its year-long observance of the 150th Anniversary of the organization of the congregation with the Baecker Jazz Worship Service. The John Cooper Jazz Orchestra, a 16-piece big band under the direction of Dr. John Cooper, presented the commissioned piece in worship. Dr. Cooper is Director of Jazz Studies at Western Illinois University. Sharon Samuels Reed and Ayana Pankey were the featured soloists. Rev. Borden and Rev. Mushaney served as worship leaders. Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, was in attendance and presented a recognition award for St. Paul's “monumental milestone.”
Read the featured article in the May 5, 2008 Pekin Daily Times, "Jazz Worship Draws Many to Church Service."
Announcement: March 9, 2008 - Mark Stryker, music critic from the Detroit Free Press, says "Cooper, a former Wayne State University student who teaches at Western Illinois University, has a firm command of the orchestra, solid ideas and a fine band stocked with Chicagoans and Detroiters."
Look for Rev. John Buttrick's article in the UCC News Dec07/Jan08, Jazz Worship Service Becomes CD. "A whisper of the Spirit at that meeting has become a big band voice speaking through the United Church of Christ, the talent of Dr. John Cooper, and the commission of Garth Baecker. God is still speaking among us."
Announcement: The WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra will be performing St. Anthony's Light, Communion, and Offertory from the Baecker Jazz Worship Service on Saturday, January 19, 2008 with worldclass trumpeter, Roger Ingram.
Announcement: Baecker Worship CD press release from Western IL University.
Announcement: The John Cooper Jazz Orchestra recording of Baecker Jazz Worship Service was reviewed by Marie Asner at The Phantom Tollbooth. Asner says ..."This music is for everyone and all denominations, plus anyone who appreciates jazz. There are top-notch musicians involved in this CD with the addition of vocalist Reverend DaNita Bell...This is a jazz service that could stand alone in a concert hall."
Announcement: The John Cooper Jazz Orchestra recording of Baecker Jazz Worship Service was reviewed by Kevan Breitinger at Christian Music Central. Breitinger says "...I love jazz and couldn’t get enough of this intelligent composition." and ..."An emotive piano opens standout track “Communion (And Now You’re Gone)” before moving into fuller instrumentation. Thick horns lay down an evocative foundation which builds slowly into a warm crescendo of expressive awe."
