Jazz Mass
The Latin text was set to music in new way, that is, in various jazz styles such as Swing, Latin and Blues. In addition to the five parts of the Ordinary there are three more movements: Introit, Alleluia and a song for the Lord’s Supper (communion). The Missa Iazzica by Johannes Matthias Michel is suitable for a mass or religious service as well as for a church concert. The piano part has been written out; this facilitates rehearsing and can also be used in a performance, especially if the choral director is not a jazz musician. Ideally, this piece is to be performed by a freely improvising jazz ensemble that should at the same time adhere to the melody and harmony. In addition to piano, drums and bass, a guitar or another solo instrument can take part in a performance.