"The fullness of the album examines the most perplexing and powerful themes from the story: the ephemeral value of a virtuous life, the injustice of suffering, and the righteousness of rebellion."

Bassist Dan Loomis goes back to the oldest story and book in the Bible, the Book of Job, for an intriguing musical creation of the classic question of Theodicy, or how does one justify God in the existence of evil.

With this release, New York City-based producer, composer, librettist and bassist, Dan Loomis, has created a 14-part, contemporized and unusual look at the biblical story of Job.

 An intriguing Dan Loomis project based on the story of the biblical Job. A vocal and musical spectacle consisting of seven short recitations (performed by Daniel Breaker, a Broadway musical star Hamilton hit) and so many musical pieces.

A Valentine’s day release date seems appropriate for Dan Loomis’s jazz oratorio, Job’s Trials: A Jazz Song Cycle. Commissioned by St Peter’s Church, NYC, the work is a loving testament to this Old Testament character and explores the question of why bad things happen to good people.

There are plenty of thought-provoking musical ideas and some theological ones too, with God represented as a woman in the final narration.

​‘Job’s Trials’ is fundamentally a jazz oratorio with the text from pivotal moments of the Book of Job set to original music written by bassist Loomis and performed by him, Jeff Miles (guitar), Jared Schonig (drums) and the expressive, layered voices of Yoon Sun Choi and Song Yi Jeon. It also includes Coltrane’s ‘Dear Lord’ and 7 ‘Satan’ interludes read by Breaker accompanied by musical backing.

The latest album by counter-bassist Dan Loomis is an interesting and successful example of the so-called concept album. Loomis took the biblical story of Job to the workshop and wrapped it in a verbal - musical cycle.

With the spoken-musical Job’s Trials, the narrative of the Adversary is recited by Daniel Breaker while a pair of vocalists scat and sing. Loomis’ combo provides a fluid, busy environment for the ancient story of temptation, misfortune and triumph. Loomis’ plucked contrabass is prominent, but guitarist Jeff Miles accents the narrative with some wild phrases.

"Every once in a while an album release comes along that is groundbreaking and unique, demanding your full attention and appreciation. This is one of those albums.

An energetic cohesion that defies the usual gravity of jazz"

“I will not flatter in advance, calling this album exceptional, landmark, and so on - the future will show.

But the fact that this is a rare work for jazz, fine and unusual work is indisputable.”

"Eventually the big, relevant, ethical questions reveal themselves, and thus Job's Trials becomes an almost theatrical cycle, a larger narrative that makes it clear that this is ambitious thought accomplished.

The composer, copywriter and bassist, Dan Loomis, who is already an established, younger jazz musician, exhibits innovative, instrumental and artistic strength."

“A perfect set to sit down and listen to when you want to clear the decks, everything about it is well played and written and will never leave you in the dust no matter how much independence it shows.”

“Everyone plays his or her role with relish and joy. Miles's guitar often creates great swells and harsh sounds while the elasticity of the vocalists not only illuminate the words but also serve as counterpoints to the instrumentals (on "Words Without Knowledge", the voices bring to mind the expansive vocals of Fay Victor). There is drama and excitement in this music that often comes from Schonig's expressive drum work. Loomis is such an expressive and melodic bassist; his solos stand out plus his interaction with Miles beneath Breaker's narration is playful.”