Behind the mic

GLORIFYING JESUS THROUGH JAZZ

Major Richard Mingay (William Booth College) talks to Lyn Woods musicians, who are als all over th to sharing t to Evening Jazz on the second from 7pm

What’s in the show?

It focuses mainly on jazz and gospel music. Each show includes a Christian thought and a word of encouragement. I hope listeners will feel nourished in their faith.

What drew you to jazz?

I come from a musical family. My mother was a Guildhall graduate in singing and piano and my father was in the International Staff Band in the 1960s. From six years old I was encouraged to take music lessons, so I studied piano, taking exams, and have kept learning pretty much ever since. In the past 10 years I’ve taken jazz piano lessons and, over the past 18 months, I’ve played jazz piano music at a restaurant. I get to meet lovely people and I jazz up a hymn tune or two – it’s always appreciated (I think).

Have you been on radio before?

Years ago, I presented a weekly Sunday morning show from Pebble Mill Studios. I also wrote and presented Christian material for BBC Radio Merseyside.

How do jazz and the Army go together?

The Army has been blessed with many great musicians who have inspired us. While I think it’s been hard for Army musicians to branch out from our original music blueprint, this has been happening more and more. I know of a number of young people in the Army exploring the jazz scene. I believe there is a bigger audience than we think wanting to hear good jazz. Gospel has always been a major influence on jazz and the link between jazz and faith is inextricable. There are some wonderful young professional musicians, who are also professing Christians, emerging all over the world. I look forward their talents with listeners – it will be a joy to do that in Jesus’ name.

Evening Jazz with Richard Mingay is on the second Sunday of each month

SINGING TO THE LORD

NG der Nancekievill talks to Tanton

ISS Leader Dorothy Nancekievill talks to George Tanton id sked to some vocal works for the raddio d to and, rathher er tha h n g ers of the ISS to I asked their fammil i ies a and frrieends. 14 choose e soonngs s from ’s vast 700 songs. s role? e the preeseenterss, advise e f if necessaaryy, a and d li t sten to o hing it’s d offf. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, ery aware of the ISS’s times of great sadness and influenced them in times s The motivationwas tocontinuethat ministry

How did the show come about?

I was asked to organise some vocal works for the radio. I wanted to make a monthly programme and, rather than using members of the ISS to present, I asked their families and friends. About 14 people put themselves forward and chose songs from the ISS’s vast repertoire of nearly 700 songs.

What is your role?

I choose the presenters, advise if necessary, and listen to everything before it’s signed off. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, I was very aware of the ISS’s ministry; it supported people during times of great sadness and influenced them in times of joy. The motivation was to continue that ministry.

Do you have a favourite song or genre that’s been featured? It depends on the mood I’m in, but I love uplifting choral and accompanied music. The programme is a platform for a whole variety of things. People have chosen older songs, newer songs, serious songs and light-hearted songs. Interestingly, one piece that’s regularly chosen is ‘Count Your Blessings’. It’s a great toe-tapping number, but that possibly reflects people’s underlying anxieties about the world.

How effective is radio in communicating the gospel?

The Covid-19 lockdowns were awful in lots of ways, but we learnt lessons through them. We acknowledged the importance of being able to effectively reach people. A lot of people lost confidence and felt they could no longer attend meetings after the lifting of restrictions. However, the radio programme allows the Army to share love, hope and redemption with people who may be housebound or can’t get to church regularly. We can all see God differently and for many of us it’s through music. I strongly advocate the sung word because it connects with people, particularly if they are familiar with the lyrics.

Sing to the Lord with the ISS is on the first Sunday of each month from 5pm uceguay.ecaaseeGod it’s music. word because cularly if s. s on m