The Eleventh Hour

If Chicagoan John Moulder had decided to become a full-time jazz guitarist rather than a Catholic priest who plays guitar, he probably would be quite famous, for his virtuosity as an instrumentalist is matched by his ferocity as a performer. Then, again, he wouldn't be the man he is now, an artist who views faith and music as expressions of the same spirit, which may help explain why he sounds like no one else in jazz. That's clear once again in Moulder's latest release, "The Eleventh Hour" (Origin Records), in which Moulder leads a quintet in gripping original compositions. Some of Moulder's recordings have been more serene ("Bifrost"), more ferocious ("Through the Open Door") or more philosophical ("Trinity"). But the profundity of Moulder's originals on "The Eleventh Hour" (recorded live at the Green Mill), as well as the understated power of his delivery attest to Moulder's eloquence as a jazz musician.