About Jazz Sunday

About Jazz Sunday

Jazz Sunday began leading jazz worship services in 1990 at Christ Lutheran Church in Lake Jackson, Texas. Since that time they have led jazz worship services and performed concerts at several other churches in the greater Houston area. Their repertoire includes jazz accompaniments of traditional hymns; special instrumental arrangements of hymns and spirituals for use as prelude, anthem, offertory, communion and postlude; and original compositions for jazz worship.

Jazz Sunday Group Members:
Richard Birk, trombone - Richard is the leader/founder of Jazz Sunday as well as Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music at Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, Texas. Chosen as Brazosport College's 2001
Teacher of Excellence, he served as the conductor of the Community College All-Star Jazz Ensemble at the 2001 International Associaton of Jazz Educators Convention in New York City. Richard performs regularly
with the Houston-based Ronnie Renfrow Big Band and is an active composer/arranger.

Sparky Koerner, trumpet - Sparky is Professor of Music at College of the Mainland in Texas City, Texas. He is principal trumpet in the Galveston Symphony and also leads his own jazz group, Sparky's Jazz Express.

Johnny Gonzales, saxophones - When not working as principal of Marshall Middle School in HISD, Johnny can be found performing around town (and the state) in a variety of musical settings. Johnny served as musical contractor and lead alto for Ray Charles 2001 appearance in Beaumont and appeared with Barry Manilow at the 2001 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

Tom Borling, piano - Tom is Professor of Music at the University of St.Thomas in Houston and the leader of the Tom Borling BeBop Band. Tom and his group have just released their first compact disc, "The Tom Borling BeBop Band Plays the Music of Eddie Lewis".

Brian Casey, bass - Brian is Assistant Band Director at Brazoswood High School in Lake Jackson, Texas where he directs the award-winning A.M. Jazz Band. In addition to his teaching, Brian is one of the top free-lance bassists in the Houston area.

Ben Atkinson, drums - A graduate of the University of North Texas, Ben is the leader of the Houston Jazz Orchestra. In addition to his duties with the HJO, Ben is one of the first-call jazz drummers in Houston.

"Joyful Noise" compact disc info
"Joyful Noise" contains 13 pieces written and used in jazz worship over the past 9 years. All the arrangements and compositions are by Richard Birk except "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" which was arranged by Howard Hanger and adapted by Richard Birk. These songs emphasize well-crafted ensemble sections, intricate horn solis and plenty of improvisation and reflect diverse musical styles ranging from straight-ahead jazz to latin, fusion to dixieland and even a polka included.