JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Sacred Movements: Poems Spiritual & Political (2026) [Hi-Res]

Finnish non-fiction author, journalist and “jazz pastor” Markku Salo released the collaborative album Sacred Movements on October 16, 2026, recorded with acclaimed masters of Finnish jazz and contemporary music. At its center are his poetry and recitation, joined by the sound of a Tibetan singing bowl. Alongside him play flutist Juhani Aaltonen, saxophonist Pepa Päivinen, trumpeter and keyboardist Mikko Pettinen, drummer Simo Laihonen, guitarists Tapio Ylinen and Varre Vartiainen, keyboardist Elihu Knowles, electric trumpeter Heikki “Mike” Koskinen, American alto saxophonist Rent Romus, drummer Anssi Nykänen and electric bassist Jan-Olof “Puppe” Strandberg. Word and music are not kept apart here: the spoken text and the musicians’ improvisation are woven into a single whole.

The fifteen pieces combine spiritual searching with a sober view of earthly life. The album takes a clear stand against authoritarianism and totalitarianism and speaks directly to the most painful subjects of the era: the war and the plight of children in Gaza, developments in Russia, and the deepening divide in American society. This is heard in pieces such as The Children of Gaza, Somebody Blew Up Our Country and its Finnish-language counterpart Joku Räjäytti USA:n, dedicated to the poet Amiri Baraka.

The album’s second thread is tribute to those who shaped its creators. Our Timeless Friend is dedicated to avant-garde jazz pioneer Muhal Richard Abrams, Just Another Howl to Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, Vibrating Bowl to Shaku Joseph Jarman, and Reflections to the late friend Junnu Aaltonen. Spiritual grounding comes from two variation pieces on themes by John Coltrane, Alabama and Spiritual, tying the record to the tradition of spiritual jazz, where music serves as both prayer and political witness.

Tracklist:
1. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Our Timeless Friend (To Muhal Richard Abrams)
2. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Reflections (To Junnu Aaltonen)
3. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Dedication to a Friend
4. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Armo (Call and Response)
5. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Just Another Howl (To Allen Ginsberg)
6. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Awakening in Real Time
7. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - The Boy from Dark Alleys
8. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Variations on John Coltrane's Alabama
9. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Joku Räjäytti USA: n (To Amiri Baraka)
10. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Somebody Blew Up Our Country
11. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - The Children of Gaza
12. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Vibrating Bowl (To Shaku Joseph Jarman)
13. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Valo Tulee Sisältäni
14. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Prayer in Me
15. JazzPreacher & Juhani Aaltonen - Variations on John Coltrane's Spiritual