ChristianMusicDaily

Gospel/Christian Saxophonist HAROLD RAYFORD had a big week with his debut album “ALWAYS THERE” with a #2 debut on Billboard’s Instrumental Christian Charts and #21 debut on Billboard’s Top contemporary Jazz Charts. The 20-song double CD set just released Tuesday, May 6th in stores and online; follows the Soul Music (1994), Breath of Life (1995) and Soul Concern (1996) all on Tyscot Records. After a ten year hiatus, Tyscot Record’s president – Bryant Scott reached out to Rayford to persuade him to enter the studio again. “Always There” is the result of many weeks and months of ‘going to the woodshed’ and delivering this double CD.



Harold Rayford is an anointed saxophonist who plays boldly for God and uplifts souls with his gifted artistry. This Stellar Award nominated musician, songwriter, married father of two and pastor of Faith Hope and Love Worship Center in Madison, Wisconsin, has returned with his best work yet, Always There, his musical _expression_ of God’s faithfulness and everlasting love.



Influenced by a cross section of musical _style_s he says, “Growing up I listened to a lot of Gospel but I didn’t develop an appreciation for Jazz until I was in high school. I listened to Gospel, Jazz and R&B artists, including Earth Wind and Fire, Parliament, the Barkays, Cameo, Aretha Franklin, James Cleveland and Andrae Crouch, who was a huge influence on me. In high school I started to appreciate Jazz and Jazz artists, like Charlie Parker, Cannon Ball Adderley, John Coltrane and Grover Washington, Jr. Now this was before the days of what we now call Smooth Jazz.”



What sets him apart from other Gospel Jazz artists? Rayford says, “Many times when you listen to Gospel Jazz artists, they kind of lean towards Jazz but my _style_ leans more towards Gospel. My music is a praise unto God. So when I go into a recording studio or approach a song, it’s as though I’m playing it directly to God. And I only play songs that minister to me. If it doesn’t inspire me, I won’t play it. If it doesn’t encourage me, I won’t record it because if it doesn’t minister to me, it certainly won’t inspire others. It is important that I please God with my music. That’s the most important thing to me when I approach a song. Therefore, my music is unquestionably Gospel Jazz.”



Although he did not release any albums over the past ten years, Rayford remained busy preaching the Gospel and with his music, ministering every week at churches and events around the country. Along the way, he went from being a Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor at Chosen Vessel Church, to becoming the Pastor of Faith Hope and Love Worship Center. So when Bryant Scott asked him to return to Tyscot and record a new project, he was well prepared and armed with a music ministry more powerful than ever before. Evidence of his growth, anointed power and conviction is found on his new soul stirring release, Always There.