Joyful
Noise! An Interfaith Devotional Chanting Experience
Throughout the ages and across cultures, prayer through song and
simple body movement has been a powerful vehicle for connecting
with the Divine. Joyful Noise weaves together ancient and contemporary
prayer songs and chants from a rainbow of spiritual traditions
and practices, including Hindu Kirtan, Sufi Zikr, earth-based
religions, Judaism, Christianity, and more.
The band, led by singer-songwriter and Interfaith Minister Jody
Kessler, describes their unique program as an “interfaith
devotional chanting experience.” They emphasize the word
“experience” because they present their work not as
a performance but rather as a participatory co-creation, as they
invite the audience to join in with singing and simple movement.
Joyful Noise features Kessler on guitar and vocals, Doug Shire
on keyboard and harmonium, Joe Smellow on percussion and an array
of flutes, didgeridoo, and more, and newest member Kristin Sharkey
on vocals and percussion (not pictured in photo). In addition,
the band is often joined by guest musicians from areas where they
perform.
Check out this 2-part video montage of a show on 10/17/08, with
guest percussionist Rose Husted.
Click
here to listen
to tracks from each of Jody's albums