Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
"The Curiosity Project - A Music Meditation" is an attempt to capture the spirit of MacKay United Church of Ottawa's weekly jazz meditation, and the revelations it has produced. Minister Peter Woods brings music to his congregation, and more importantly, brings his congregation to the music in weekly improvised performances. The emotional space created by acoustic jazz is a way into spiritual life, and the musicians eloquently express the spiritual side of their craft. Most importantly, they depict the manner in which it can transport them to a vibrant spiritual place. This is shown to the listener through music and through a deep, searching dialogue.
The Curiosity Project produced a wide collection of tangible pieces, including an audio album of music and spoken word, podcast album, and a suite of short films for the MacKay community and wider audience. Acknowledgements are in order for MacKay Church in Ottawa, United church of Canada Foundation, and the artistry of the musicians, speakers, poets and visual artists.
Quote from Peter Woods on the filmmaker:
"Randy Cole took the artistry and spirituality of the curiosity sessions to a deeper level through his audio engineering and his camera skills. He helped us find our voices and clarify key themes. From the beginning, visual stories wove together spirituality, musical expression and the natural world. We had a vision of ‘turning the church inside out’ and Randy made that vision a reality".
Click here to listen:
music.apple.com/ca/album/the-curiosity-sessions-live-a-small-bench-facing-the-cosmos/1712342110
"The Curiosity Project - A Music Meditation" is an attempt to capture the spirit of MacKay United Church of Ottawa's weekly jazz meditation, and the revelations it has produced. Minister Peter Woods brings music to his congregation, and more importantly, brings his congregation to the music in weekly improvised performances. The emotional space created by acoustic jazz is a way into spiritual life, and the musicians eloquently express the spiritual side of their craft. Most importantly, they depict the manner in which it can transport them to a vibrant spiritual place. This is shown to the listener through music and through a deep, searching dialogue.
The Curiosity Project produced a wide collection of tangible pieces, including an audio album of music and spoken word, podcast album, and a suite of short films for the MacKay community and wider audience. Acknowledgements are in order for MacKay Church in Ottawa, United church of Canada Foundation, and the artistry of the musicians, speakers, poets and visual artists.
Quote from Peter Woods on the filmmaker:
"Randy Cole took the artistry and spirituality of the curiosity sessions to a deeper level through his audio engineering and his camera skills. He helped us find our voices and clarify key themes. From the beginning, visual stories wove together spirituality, musical expression and the natural world. We had a vision of ‘turning the church inside out’ and Randy made that vision a reality".
Click here to listen:
music.apple.com/ca/album/the-curiosity-sessions-live-a-small-bench-facing-the-cosmos/1712342110
