Christmas Concert with Earnest Alexander

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Just wanted to say our small church participated in a Christmas program here in a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri.
We organized a trio of Piano, Bass, and Drums and competed with our local Community Band performing 5 selections from A Jazz-Inspired Christmas. Many reported our trio was the hightlight of the evening. I am the musical director and pianist/organist of the church and perform many of your arrangements regularly. Our congregation love them and I constantly give praise to your talent and direction. I now own all of your current books and enjoy the challenge of performing them. One of my strengths is improvising and I am constantly learning new techniques and at the same time reinforcing old ones thanks to your arrangements. Please keep up the inspiring work, it keeps me on the edge of my seat. God Bless, Craig Curry!

Ron said on January 8 about

Thank You Cyber Monday Shoppers!

Thanks Donna! Your comment was helpful to me as I’m right now in the middle of all those “upcoming” projects from May!

One thing at a time and use the hours God’s given for His glory… very good advice. Sounds a lot like Matthew 6:33-34: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Thanks again. Continuing to pray for you…

Craig Curry said on July 15 about

Birthday Reflections

Craig, you have said all this so well. First, I am impressed that you are so goal oriented, but you get a lot done that way. Indeed, our worth is not connected to our productivity as God loves us just the way we are. I find each day challenging. I was just saying to myself about an hour ago, I have too much to do today. Then, reading this blog I realized that I just have to do one thing at a time and use the hours given me for His glory. You are a treasure, to God, and to my family!

Donna Williams said on July 14 about

Birthday Reflections

Get 2 new mp3s free!

Enjoy Craig playing 2 pieces from "A Jazz-Inspired Christmas".

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by: Craig Curry

posted in: Composing/Arranging
The Stuff of Life

Friday, November 21, 2003

One thing that usually only people involved in things like gift shops or church music can appreciate is the time it takes to prepare and plan for the holidays.

A year ago, I played piano for a Christmas concert featuring Earnest Alexander, a local favorite gospel singer and the executive director of a Christian mentoring ministry called "Youth Horizons." The concert featured a local big band, and we ended up using several jazz arrangements of Christmas carols that I used to use at First Baptist when I put on our own annual Christmas show called "We Wish You a Swingin' Christmas."

Last year's event was when Earnest "discovered" me. We began working together regularly soon after that and throughout this year I have accompanied him as he has performed in numerous churches throughout the city, using his considerable vocal gifts, and recruiting mentors for Youth Horizons.

This year Earnest asked me to write several arrangements for the concert which will be on the 29th of this month. I've spent most every free moment in November working on these charts, and as of 10 p.m. last night, they were all finished.

It's felt good to have "real work" as an arranger, especially using some of my jazz arranging chops. (3 of the arrangements are for Earnest and Big Band.) I'll again be playing the concert and I'm looking forward to hearing the pieces performed and hearing the crowd's response to Earnest singing them. It should be a lot of fun.

My association with Earnest has been a real gift for me and our family in numerous ways; I hope we can continue to work together as God allows and leads us to do so.

Tags: earnest alexander, concerts, christmas

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