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'Every Blessing': Cathedral cantor debuts album
By Janice L. Semmel, news@catholicsun.org
December 4, 2008
You don’t have to go to Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral to hear its cantor’s voice anymore.
Some 300 parishioners showed up for a Nov. 22 Jay Groft concert launching his first album “Every Blessing” at the cathedral.
Groft and a group of musicians started the evening off with two songs from the CD: “Open the Eyes of My Heart” and “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
After the opening songs, Groft said it was a special night for him.
“Today is the feast day of St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians and church music, and today is my 37th birthday,” he said. “Today I also share my birthday with a late friend, Lola Schultz, and I dedicate this concert to her memory. Lola, may you rest in peace.”
Groft said he loved singing from a young age and was in the Phoenix Boys’ Choir. He attended Ss. Simon and Jude School and Grand Canyon University on a vocal scholarship, though he didn’t finish.
“I have done background vocals for different recording artists off and on for the last 10 years,” Groft said. “But this is the first thing that I’ve done for myself.”
During the concert, Groft told stories about the songs on the CD.
In fifth grade, Groft’s grandparents died, and he remembered being afraid. But he learned whatever happens in life to not be afraid.
“Be Not Afraid” brings his grandparents to mind, he said, “It’s one of those songs that whenever I hear it, it moves me so.”
Groft believes that music plays a significant role in the Mass. He thinks music not only brings people together to sing as one, but it also gives people a listening role, which makes it an important part of the liturgy.
“Tonight it was kind of different for me,” Groft said, “because usually I am off to the side and people are hearing the music and focused on the altar. Tonight I was the focus, which is a little bit strange being up there in front of everyone. It’s a different feeling, but I enjoyed it.”
Groft also thinks music gives people who have a hard time praying that voice inside their head that enables them to talk to God. For other people, he said, music puts them in the right frame of mind.
During the concert, Groft thanked Jim Wahl, cathedral music director, for arranging the “Every Blessing” CD and for co-producing it with Andy Joslin, musician and cathedral staff member. Groft said completing the CD took 18 months.
“It was totally funded just by our family savings,” Groft said, “so we’d have a little money that we’d throw toward the recording and then we wouldn’t for a while.”
“I’m really happy with it,” he added. “It’s one of those things that when you put so much effort into something to finally see the finished product is a little overwhelming.”
Groft thanked his wife Jenni and his seven children for their support during the evenings when he worked on completing the CD. Groft also thanked his parents.
Before Groft performed the last song, “Blessed Be Your Name,” the inspiration for the CD title, Wahl led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to Groft.
After a standing ovation, everyone adjourned outside to enjoy refreshments and birthday cake and to purchase advanced copies of “Every Blessing.”
Groft sat at a table under trees decorated with twinkling lights and signed “Every Blessing” as he chatted with fans.
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