I had the wonderful experience of meeting Matt during an National ECW board meeting last year on Ender’s Island. We had an old-fashioned sing-a-long that kept me humming, “Lead Me, Guide Me” for weeks. I think you’ll find the music a real treat at this Triennial Meeting. Just to get you in the mood, here are eight quick questions, to introduce you to Mr. Matt Lemmler, Steinway Artist!

Did you have prior knowledge of the Episcopal Church or the Episcopal Church Women?

Yes. I’ve been involved and inspired in the Episcopal Church, mainly due to a creative priest, Father Bill Miller. He created the Jazz Mass at Trinity Church, Houston; St Michael and All Angels, Kauia, Hawaii and now at Christ Church, Covington, Louisiana. At all of these churches, I’ve had the privilege of helping create a new, transformative context for sacred hymns and text by infusing the spirit of jazz while honoring the spirit of the sacred. It led me into my path to form the New Orleans Jazz Revival and travel the world sharing these gifts with churches of all denominations. I was also blessed to spend time with the ECW this past year at Salt Lake City and on Ender’s Island and look forward to our time during the Triennial.

What were your first impression of ECW?

I love being around beautiful, uplifting and inspiring people, especially ECW women!

Do you have any special plans for Triennial?

I’m excited to be able to create, rehearse and present an UBUNTU Spirit Choir alongside Father Bill Miller in our Spirit of New Orleans Jazz Mass during the triennial. I also hope to present some outside concerts at the Steinway dealer and various clubs in Salt Lake City. Please visit my website for more info on my special plans during triennial. www.mattlemmler.com

What is your favorite tempo and why?

I loved playing Handel’s ‘Largo’ when I was first learning piano when I was six or seven years old — Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’ too. Both were dirge-like tempos. Real slow and moody. Just like me:) Actually, the dirge is also found in our sacred New Orleans Jazz Funerals. Just a beautiful tradition I still witness to this day. It starts out mournful, at first, with the dirge, and then once the dead are buried, it’s time to party and celebrate life and the spirit!!

What song comes to mind first?

“Sing-Sing a Song. Make it simple to last your whole life long. Don’t worry that it’s not good enough, for anyone else to hear. Just Sing. Sing a Song..La la la lala la la la la lala la la la lala la la…” Singing heals me and I witness how it heals others. My mission is to get everyone singing and playing music together. The world, especially our internal world/spirit, would be uplifted and joyful if we just sang a happy tune each minute of the day. Sing a Song with me in the UBUNTU Spirit Choir!

Have you recently finished any projects?

I just premiered my solo Steinway show “Conversations with the Artist” a concert featuring musical stories from growing  up in the Lower Ninth Ward to musical portraits of the Living Legends/Immortal Steinway Artists including George Gershwin and Irving Berlin to Billy Joel, Randy Newman, Harry Connick, Jr. and my mentor, Ellis Marsalis.

Can you tell me about your next project?

I’m very blessed to be arranging, composing and producing for a group of over 300 middle school musicians making a trip from Atlanta, GA to my hometown, New Orleans, where their string orchestra, jazz band, concert band and choir get to perform together and record a CD to document this UBUNTU of middle school musicians recording alongside my New Orleans Jazz Revival Band. Some of the featured songs will include Ode to Joy, Colors of the Wind, Sing and several other inspirational songs!

What can the women look forward to most in regard to the music venue at the Triennial Meeting?

A great time to let loose and feel the presence of God’s voice through our music and singing!! Music is truly a Holy Spirit, and I hope we all can allow that to inspire and heal us the way God intended music to do. Praise and Heal!! Ubuntu of music and spirit!