Preaching to the Choir Vincent Herring

• 1 Dudli's Dilemma 06:00
• 2 Old Devil Moon 07:47
• 3 Ojos de Rojo 06:53
• 4 Hello 05:56
• 5 Fried Pies 07:37
• 6 Minor Swing 06:03
• 7 In a Sentimental Mood 06:26
• 8 Preaching to the Choir 05:02
• 9 Granted 06:36
• 10 You Are the Sunshine of My Life 07:32
• Total Runtime 01:05:52

Info for Preaching to the Choir

Vincent Herring battles back from a bout with Covid-19 and career-threatening side effects with a defiant and joyful album, Preaching to the Choir, with swinging help from Cyrus Chestnut, Yasushi Nakamura and Johnathan Blake.

Preaching to the Choir, a paean to Herring’s fans and supporters, celebrates real triumph over hardship and challenge with soulful jazz. Herring is speaking for nearly all of us when says, “2020 into 2021 was a morbid nightmare.” But, he also experienced the pandemic firsthand, contracting Covid-19 while suffering the same loss of performance opportunities befalling every musician during the past year. That’s only meant more time spent at home, watching the turbulent presidential election and its violent aftermath.

Despite the prevailing darkness, Preaching to the Choir delivers a sermon of optimism and hope to the jazz faithful, aided by as fervent a congregation as a swing disciple could pray for: pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, and drummer Johnathan Blake.

“We have to have hope for the future,” Herring insists. “I’ve been in a constant state of disbelief with so much going on that is negative in the world, but I try to look at the positive side of everything. Fate is written with all kinds of twists and turns, and in the end the only thing you can do is realize that as bad as things are – and they are bad –the promise of tomorrow is going to be special.”

Vincent Herring, alto saxophone
Cyrus Chestnut, piano
Yasushi Nakamura, bass
Johnathan Blake, drums

Vincent Herring
Saxophonist Vincent Herring's intense, soulful, multi-noted style and ebullient swing have excited audiences worldwide. On stage, Herring and his band often make an incendiary sound over fine and controlled rhythms of modern times.

Vincent started playing saxophone at the age of 11 in school bands and studying privately at Dean Frederick’s School of Music in Vallejo, CA. At the age of 16, Herring was studying at California State University at Chico on a music scholarship. A year later he had won a berth in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point.

Vincent moved to New York City in early 1980's attending Long Island University. He first toured in the United States and Europe as part of the Lionel Hampton Big Band. With his sound strongly influenced by Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, Vincent’s virtuosity and promise came to the attention of Nat Adderley. The two forged a nine-year musical relationship, producing nine albums and touring around the world year after year. After Nat’s death, Louis Hayes collaborated with Vincent to form the Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band. Vincent worked and recorded with Cedar Walton for more than 20 years.

He has also appeared on stage and or recordings with Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Hayes, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver Quintet, Jack DeJohnette’s Special Edition, Larry Coryell, Steve Turre, The Mingus Big Band (Won a Grammy in 2010), Kenny Barron, Nancy Wilson, Dr. Billy Taylor, Carla Bley, Mike LeDonne, Carl Allen, Ron McClure, and John Hicks among others. His extensive guest soloist appearances include performances with Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center and Jon Faddis and The Carnegie Hall Big Band.

Vincent's discography reveals over 20 titles as a leader and over 250 as a sideman. His current and past projects speak to the wide range of his musical interest and versatility: The Vincent Herring-Joris Dudli’s Soul Jazz Alliance, Earth Jazz Agents, Friendly Fire with Vincent Herring and Eric Alexander. Vincent leads a band called Jazz The Story with Jon Faddis, Jeremy Pelt, Steve Turre, James Carter, Eric Alexander, Mike LeDonne, Kenny Davis, Carl Allen and Nicolas Bearde.

Vincent tours frequently with his projects around the in the United States, Europe, Japan, China and around the world. Vincent continues to share his distinct voice and musical knowledge, as a performer and jazz educator. He is currently on staff at William Paterson University and at Manhattan School of Music.

This album contains no booklet.