JAM: April/May 2004 Issue: The Preacher and the Sax Man

The Preacher and the Sax Man
An Interview with Steve Gray and Bryan Savage

Many years ago, in the 70s, there were two students who attended Southern Missouri State University in Warrensburg.

Both began playing in separate local bands. One, a music major, began singing with the Christian band Jubilation, recorded a hit that made the Christian music charts, and eventually founded a church in Smithton , Missouri.

The other, a business major, began performing sax with various bands including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Al Stewart, and Fleetwood Mac. He even received a gold record for his performance on Steve Martin's “King Tut” recording. Burned out, the saxman put down his horn and went back to college to finish his degree.

Their paths would cross again.

Pastor Steve Gray of the World Revival Church and smooth jazz saxophonist Bryan Savage enjoy telling the story of how they first met and met again. It forever changed the saxophonist and transformed him into an internationally famous jazz star.

“In 1983, I was playing six or seven nights a week in a club in Aspen [CO],” he explains. “I was totally burned out. The last thing I wanted to do was that again.”

“I decided to take a break.”

Meanwhile, Gray had become a pastor and bought an old, rundown country church near Smithton.

When Savage returned to Warrensburg to finish his degree, he sought out his old friend whom he had heard had undergone some changes.

“Believe me,” laughs Gray, “neither one of us was spiritual in college.”

“Bryan heard I had changes in my life and wanted to know what they were,” he explains. “I invited him to my house.”

When Savage attended the church, he was moved by a spiritual performance by the church band.

“That's when he took up the sax again,” Gray says with pride.

For nine months, he played twice a week with the band.

“All of a sudden, music was fun again,” says Savage.

He returned to Aspen and in 1986 began experimenting with the newly emerging MIDIs, which “enable a solo sax/flute guy to do a concert on his own,” says Savage.

In 1992, Savage recorded his first nationally released CD titled “Bryan Savage,” on the Elation Artists label. That was followed by three more successful releases, including “Catfood,” which hit #2 single on the national jazz radio charts in 1996.

Later that year, Savage moved to LA and signed with Higher Octave, a subsidiary of Virgin Records. He has since released highly acclaimed albums, “Soul Temptations” and “Rush Hour.”

While Savage was drinking in the sweet taste of success and fame, Gray was having some of his own.

Gray's tiny church was attracting over 250,000 visitors from around the world. In 1996, his Spiritual Revival there attracted the attention of Time , Newsweek , even the San Francisco Chronicle .

“I even heard about Steve out here [ Aspen ],” exclaims Savage. “I sent him an e-mail congratulating him.”

The two stayed in touch.

When Gray moved his church to 62 acres in south Kansas City , they began thinking of ways to collaborate. They came up with an idea.

On Saturday, April 3, Savage will perform from his jazz albums at the World Revival Church , 9900 View High Drive , off I-470. He will also divulge stories of his musical and spiritual journey before ending with a jam of traditional hymns with his friend. The event is free.

And that, quite possibly, is just the beginning of the story.

--Kathy Feist Vescovi






	Search our site:		The Preacher and the Sax Man An Interview with Steve Gray and Bryan Savage Many years ago, in the 70s, there were two students who attended Southern Missouri State University in Warrensburg. Both began playing in separate local bands. One, a music major, began singing with the Christian band Jubilation, recorded a hit that made the Christian music charts, and eventually founded a church in Smithton , Missouri. The other, a business major, began performing sax with various bands including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Al Stewart, and Fleetwood Mac. He even received a gold record for his performance on Steve Martin's “King Tut” recording. Burned out, the saxman put down his horn and went back to college to finish his degree. Their paths would cross again. Pastor Steve Gray of the World Revival Church and smooth jazz saxophonist Bryan Savage enjoy telling the story of how they first met and met again. It forever changed the saxophonist and transformed him into an internationally famous jazz star. “In 1983, I was playing six or seven nights a week in a club in Aspen [CO],” he explains. “I was totally burned out. The last thing I wanted to do was that again.” “I decided to take a break.” Meanwhile, Gray had become a pastor and bought an old, rundown country church near Smithton. When Savage returned to Warrensburg to finish his degree, he sought out his old friend whom he had heard had undergone some changes. “Believe me,” laughs Gray, “neither one of us was spiritual in college.” “Bryan heard I had changes in my life and wanted to know what they were,” he explains. “I invited him to my house.” When Savage attended the church, he was moved by a spiritual performance by the church band. “That's when he took up the sax again,” Gray says with pride. For nine months, he played twice a week with the band. “All of a sudden, music was fun again,” says Savage. He returned to Aspen and in 1986 began experimenting with the newly emerging MIDIs, which “enable a solo sax/flute guy to do a concert on his own,” says Savage. In 1992, Savage recorded his first nationally released CD titled “Bryan Savage,” on the Elation Artists label. That was followed by three more successful releases, including “Catfood,” which hit #2 single on the national jazz radio charts in 1996. Later that year, Savage moved to LA and signed with Higher Octave, a subsidiary of Virgin Records. He has since released highly acclaimed albums, “Soul Temptations” and “Rush Hour.” While Savage was drinking in the sweet taste of success and fame, Gray was having some of his own. Gray's tiny church was attracting over 250,000 visitors from around the world. In 1996, his Spiritual Revival there attracted the attention of Time , Newsweek , even the San Francisco Chronicle . “I even heard about Steve out here [ Aspen ],” exclaims Savage. “I sent him an e-mail congratulating him.” The two stayed in touch. When Gray moved his church to 62 acres in south Kansas City , they began thinking of ways to collaborate. They came up with an idea. On Saturday, April 3, Savage will perform from his jazz albums at the World Revival Church , 9900 View High Drive , off I-470. He will also divulge stories of his musical and spiritual journey before ending with a jam of traditional hymns with his friend. The event is free. And that, quite possibly, is just the beginning of the story. --Kathy Feist Vescovi RETURN TO APRIL/MAY 2004 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2004. All rights reserved.