Christian Music Online

saxophonist John Carlson

February 4, 2007 – 11:27 am

When saxophonist John Carlson put together “Expressions of Instrumental Worship,” the last thing he had on his mind was an award.

But within only a few months of the album being released, it is a finalist for IndieHeaven’s “Best Christian Jazz Artist” category.

“I’m honored,” Carlson said. “If there is a Christian jazz award out there, I will go for it.

“This has all been through word of mouth.”

Online voting ended Wednesday, but Carlson will have to wait until the IndieHeaven CIA Summit 2007 conference March 29-April 1 in Franklin, Tenn., to find out if he’s won.

IndieHeaven is the nation’s leading organization supporting independent artists in the Christian music genre.

Carlson, 42, is one of five finalists.

“It’s important to recognize and applaud the efforts made in recent years by artists who are independent,” IndieHeaven founder Keith Mohr said in a statement. “By providing them the recognition they have earned, we hope to increase their platform and awareness.”

Carlson’s 15-track CD includes the songs “Lord I Lift Your Name on High,” “I Love You Lord,” “How Majestic is Your Name,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

Almost all of the songs feature original arrangements by Carlson.

Before taking his current position as Instrumental Music Director at Parkview Church in Iowa City in 2004, Carlson worked for 10 years at Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago.

While he was at Willow Creek, he released two albums of worship music titled “Preludes” and “Preludes II” that featured re-workings of popular worship melodies and tunes.

When people began asking him for copies, he decided to produce a third, “Expressions of Instrumental Music,” last fall.

Within weeks, IndieHeaven notified him that he was a nominee in the “Best Christian Jazz Artist” category.

In early January, he learned he was a finalist.

He is selling the CD locally at Parkview Church as well as at Lemstone Books in Coralville.

It’s not really important if he wins the contest, Carlson said.

He said his goal is to get his and others Christian artists’ music out to the public.

He’s been e-mailing and talking to his competitors.

“It has been a very friendly competition,” Carlson said. “It is not a cutthroat ‘American Idol’ kind of thing.”

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