What does jazz have to do with human spirituality In Thriving on a Riff Presbyterian minister and jazz pianist Bill Carter shows us how jazz in its quest for transcendence bridges the gap between the secular and the sacred and further that these two worlds are not mutually exclusivejazz is spiritual. Carter traces jazz from its origins in the twilight of American slavery to its evolution from dance music to serious art form during the American civil rights movement and its eventual introduction into the church as a legitimate expression of praise and lament. Along the way he explores the spiritual dimensions of jazz with its blend of passion and intellect its ability to awaken us to something in and beyond ourselves.