Tim Boniface: 'Psalter: Themes for Peace'

I have been fortunate in attending many concerts around the UK in the past few years, especially since my Harmonious World podcast has taken off. In January 2024, I travelled the short distance to the beautiful St Albans Cathedral, just a few miles north of London. The occasion was the world premiere of saxophonist Tim Boniface's marvellous and moving suite - 'Psalter: Themes for Peace'. You can read my review here or hear my interview with Tim here but - even better - you can now enjoy the recorded version, which is out now on AudioB records.

Composed by Boniface and recorded with the composer on sax together with the original band that I heard for the premiere, Psalter: Themes For Peace is a wonderful jazz suite based on six ancients texts on peace from the Hebrew book of Psalms.

Boniface is in a special position to compose and record such a collection, as an ordained priest and chaplain at Girton College, University of Cambridge. As well as being a spectacular sax plater, he is also artistic director of Girton Jazz, a unique programme of public concerts and student workshops at the College.

Alongside the sax player himself, the musicians are impressive: James Pearson (piano), Malcolm Creese (bass) and Jon Ormston (drums and percussion). Pearson is Artistic Director of Ronnie Scotts and Musician In Residence at Girton, while Creese has collaborated with jazz legends Kenny Wheeler, Dame Cleo Laine, Stan Tracey and many others. Ormston, meanwhile, is well known for his work with a host of UK jazz musicians including Eliot Galvin, Guy Barker and more. Collectively, this is the perfect band alongside Boniface's sax to perform his compositions.

Just as I heard Psalter: Themes for Peace performed live, so the album was recorded live at Girton with no edits or overdubs to create a live ‘in the moment’ feel. This is not a religious work, as such, but is jazz influenced by sacred texts and with a focus on the intentions of peace.

For those among you living or visiting London in August, I highly recommend tickets for the performance of Psalter: Themes for Peace at Southwark Cathedral on 9 August. Once more, the Tim Boniface Quartet will be performing the suite under the artwork Peace Doves by Peter Walker.

To buy the album visit either www.timboniface.co.uk/shop or timboniface.bandcamp.com