Bob Ravenscroft
Pianist-keyboardist Bob Ravenscroft is an accomplished jazz musician, composer, recording artist, performer and teacher. Recent albums include Three Alone, a two-disc, hybrid SACD, and The Bob Ravenscroft Trio at Taliesin West, both of which have garnered widespread airplay and critical acclaim. Also available on his Ravenswave Recordings label are three new CDs that bridge the jazz and Christian experience: Fire in the Soul, Peace Within and Jazz Vespers.

An able and avid teacher, Ravenscroft has served on several university jazz studies faculties over the years and toured for a decade with the Christian ministry "Majesty", always in pursuit of that special place where, as he says, "music serves the Word." And, his roots go even further back — ancestor Thomas Ravenscroft composed "The Whole Booke" of Psalms in 1621!  You can e-mail Bob at bob@musicservingtheword.org.

                                                               
Richard Parrish
Richard Parrish, former founder and lead pastor of New Hope Covenant Church in Peoria, Arizona, is no stranger to ministry. He spent the very first Sunday of his life in church, where his father was pastor.

As a young man, Parrish began asking questions about life, God, church and faith. He found his answers in Holy Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments, as his source in which moral conduct, faith and hope are discovered. As a result of this quest and Parrish’s life experiences, he has a remarkable skill for teaching the Bible. Parrish combines a well-rounded understanding of the contextual and literary aspects of the text with practical applications for those whose feet are in the 21st century.

Parrish says, “We are a generation that is frightened by quietness. Noise fills every waking moment. I encourage people to slow down, be still and listen to God’s Word. The music creates an environment conducive to hearing – not superficially, but with clarity and accuracy – what God is saying for life.”  You can e-mail Richard at richard@musicservingtheword.org.

                                                                  
Dwight Kilian
Expanding the mission and scope of Music Serving the Word Ministries is its Executive Director Dwight Kilian. A gifted musician, Dwight also enjoys a growing reputation as one of the Southwest's finest jazz bassists. His 20 year teaching experience includes jazz bass instruction and clinician work with Arizona State University, Glendale Community College, Kansas Touring Arts, Arizona All State High School Jazz, and many music camps throughout the country.

With Ravenscroft, he formed the improvisational group Inner Journeys, which led to the development of "Music & Meditations" programs. Dwight was a co-founder of the "Jazz for the Soul" concert series at New Hope Covenant Church and leads his own group, Bass Pursuit. He has played with a who's who of famed musicians, including Art Lande, Mark Murphy, Herbie Mann and Mose Allison.  You can e-mail Dwight at dwight@musicservingtheword.org.

                                                               
Chuck Marohnic
Chuck Marohnic's career spans more than four decades as a respected pianist, educator, author, director, composer and arranger. His numerous recordings, instructional books and collections of arrangements have taken him from the classroom as Emeritus Director of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University to Music Serving the Word Ministries, where Chuck serves as Director of Workshops and Education.

Chuck is instrumental in the development of ear-opening new workshops for church musicians. A widely published author, his latest book/CD is Jazz in the Sanctuary: Sing/Play Along.  You can e-mail Chuck at chuck@musicservingtheword.org.  Also, read an interview with Chuck...

Vicki McDermitt
Vicki McDermitt’s background in secular and sacred music began at an early age. She began singing in church at age three and hasn’t stopped since. During her college years she fell in love with jazz and began her career as a jazz singer, but her first love is singing music that communicates the love of God. Vicki has gained acclaim opening for notables such as Mel Torme, Buddy Rich, Joe Williams, and Sarah Vaughan and is “Jazz Singer in Residence” at Mayo Hospital in Scottsdale, AZ where she sings private concerts for patients struggling with life threatening conditions.  You can e-mail Vicki at vicki@musicservingtheword.org.  She also has a great new personal website with even more info at:  www.vickimcdermitt.com.

Rob Moore
Rob Moore brings an innovative, fresh approach to percussion, drawing from a musical depth that includes playing keyboards, guitar and reeds, and singing in vocal ensembles. His career began as the drummer for Young Sounds (an all-city jazz band featuring Arizona’s brightest high school talent) and continued with a summer scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Jazzbird scholarship at Arizona State University. He counts jazz educator Chuck Marohnic and renowned percussionist Dom Moio among his mentors and lists working with legends Gunther Schuller and Doc Severinson among his credits.  You can e-mail Rob at rob@musicservingtheword.org

Charles Johnson
Inspired baritone soloist Charles Johnson brings powerful renditions of sacred music classics to Music Serving the Word Ministries in the form of Sacred Music Concerts, accompanied by keyboardist Dale Niehaus. His presentation embraces the philosophy of Martin Luther, “ … for besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart.”

His interest in the many facets of music have taken Johnson from the operatic stage to night clubs, from concerts to sanctuaries and into the music business as well. Johnson is the co-founder of Limeliters, one of Nashville’s most successful talent agencies. Meanwhile, he has been a choral director since his teenage years, serving churches in Chicago, Nashville, Colorado and California. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Majesty Foundation.  You can e-mail Charles at charles@musicservingtheword.org.

                                                                  
Jon Elvrum
As part of his quest to learn to hear the rustlings of the Spirit, Jon Elvrum has recently released his first volume of poetry, Psalms of an American Businessman. This passionate collection represents one man’s journey in his effort to know God on a personal and intimate level. Music Serving the Word Ministries welcomes his special gift to our programs.

Now, through his presentation of “Poetry Serving the Word,” Jon Elvrum’s scripture-inspired poetry has become a powerful experience for others. Oftentimes, Elvrum’s words may be backed by the musical mood setting of Inner Journeys, or enjoyed alone.  You can e-mail John at jon@musicservingtheword.org.

                                                                  
Mario Barnabe
Mario Barnabe believes visual media can play a powerful role in deepening faith. For twenty years, his career has been focused on creating visual content, mainly documentaries, for broadcast and cable television. He has produced dozens of programs that deal with important life issues from a Christian perspective.

Now, he also participates in the unrehearsed, live worship experiences known as "Soulscapes" and "Jazz Vespers".  At these improvisational events, video clips are selected in real-time and projected as part of the performance. Rather than overwhelming the senses, the intention is to create a contemplative space where participants are receptive to the Word of God as it is proclaimed. Mario also develops DVD resources, as well as shooting, writing and editing other visual media on behalf of Music Serving the Word Ministries.  You can e-mail Mario at mario@musicservingtheword.org.