On 13 May at the All Souls Church in central London, an evangelistic event was held called ‘The Roots of Jazz’. It was also a musical fundraising event in support of the Christian charities A21 and Tamar, working to abolish the modern day slavery of human trafficking.
Through ‘The Roots of Jazz’ we explore how the Christian gospel has influenced and impacted the growth of Jazz music, originating from the ‘work songs’ or Gospel Spirituals of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Slavery and redemption
Host for the evening, Jonathan Herring, guided us through the timelines of two parallel stories profoundly entwined and united by the common theme of slavery and redemption. Both stories began in Africa; the history of Jazz music has its ‘roots’ deeply imbedded in American musical history.
The Africans plucked from their homeland were enslaved under the cruel and brutal oppression of their white masters. These oppressed people sung to alleviate something of their suffering, and many of them came to faith after hearing the gospel at the white controlled churches which their masters attended. Though the messages often served at these services were on strict obedience to one’s master, there was the overarching message of God’s that all are created equal and seen as such by him.
The evening’s opening song was ‘Go Down Moses’. With Jon’s vibrant and knowledgeable explanation of this and other songs, concerning the history of jazz and the gospel, we were delivered a quality night of great music accompanied by the authentic integration and proclamation of the gospel. The story of Exodus resonates deeply with that of the African slaves, stories of strife and suffering, of hope and salvation.
Charities supported
A21 was founded in 2008 in Thessaloniki, Greece. Since their commitment to combat the horrific statistics surrounding the issue of human trafficking, having identified a global need for rescue, rehabilitation, and restoration, they have established 11 field offices, shelters, transition homes, and administrative bases in 10 countries. Simply defined, ‘A21 stands for abolishing injustice in the 21st century. Anyone can join; everyone can make a difference.’
Tamar was established from within All Souls Church. A small volunteer group assembled with a shared heart for reaching those who were sex-trafficked. There are two stories in the Bible of women called Tamar, both mistreated by men and society. Along with them are a number of other references to women involved in sex work throughout the Bible. Jesus showed these women care and value, a significantly countercultural action at that time. Tamar stands for this same care and value today.
Great gospel opportunity
The future for ‘The Roots of Jazz’ holds promise; they have received incredibly positive feedback from their past events, most recently at Waterloo Road Church in Middlesex and Oak Hill Theological College in Southgate, London. Available on their website is the script for the evening, and song lists for churches to hold this or similarly themed charitable events. The event at All Souls raised £3000 for Tamar.
Jon’s hope is for church communities to take advantage of this exciting evangelistic event to help reach people and bring human trafficking and exploitation to an end – and with its broad historical and spiritual spectrum, lies an opportunity for the gospel to reach those who wouldn’t otherwise attend a church service.
