The Oîkos Ensemble has performed on almost 500 occasions at more than 300 faith communities and venues, from New York to California, Minnesota to Texas. More than 125 musicians have performed with Cliff in at least 110 cities and towns across the U. S. Here’s a sample of the responses Oîkos has received through the years.
“Oikos represents the perfect union between the Sunday morning church service and Saturday at a jazz club: pro jazz players with a heartfelt message. They reach audiences both with their musicality and their spirituality recalling such diverse jazz voices as John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner and Paul Winter. Their music transcends any single religious denomination through the strength of the music itself and the overarching message of peace, love and spiritual growth.”
—David Demsey, saxophonist/Coordinator of Jazz Studies, William Paterson University, Wayne NJ
“Cliff Aerie lures even the most reserved traditionalist in the pew into the world of play and imagination where faith is enriched, and worship comes alive. Gifted in music and the arts, Cliff can turn ordinary meetings, liturgies, and events of any size into Spirit filled gatherings where God is encountered through joy, praise, and gratitude.”
John Thomas, former General Minister and President, United Church of Christ, Cleveland OH
“Dreams and Visions by the Oîkos Ensemble could easily be subtitled ‘The Music of the Spheres,’ coming as it does from what the Irish call “the back of beyond,” and evoking along the way the very harmonies of the universe. Music is the magical use of dynamics, the graceful and compassionate lifting and lowering of the spirit in exquisite rhythms. Listen to Oîkos and feel what’s it like to experience a balm to your soul.”
Phil Cousineau, host of “Global Spirit” on LINK-TV, author of “Stoking the Creative Fires” and “The Art of Pilgrimage”
“FABULOUS service on Sunday. Just loved it!! The word that kept coming up in me over and over for the rest of the day was ‘quality’. Your music and message had a quality I hadn’t experienced in a while. So rich. I could have listened all day.”
Gina Kurre-Rogers, Newscaster/Producer, HEC-TV, St. Louis
“Cliff Aerie and Oîkos took us around the world though the rhythms and refrains of jazz. They provided an innovative way to explore global mission and their music added inspiration to our meeting. Invite them and you will have new dimensions to your worship!”
Tim Downs, Conference Minister, Southeast Conference UCC, Atlanta GA
“Your jazz vespers performance [at the festival] was very special.”
Willard Jenkins, Artistic Director, Tri-C Jazz Festival, Cleveland Ohio
“An inspiring edition to our Jazz on High Celebration series”
Jacqui Lewis, Senior Pastor, Middle Collegiate Church, New York NY
“Oîkos enriched and enlivened the worship for our international conference. Their spirited presentation and prayerful presence spoke to people from many lands and backgrounds.”
Tom Hampson, Associate Director, Church World Service International, Elkhart IN / Dallas TX
“Excellent music, progressive theology, gentle humor. It was a joy to have them lead us in worship on Pentecost”
Rusty Butler, Senior pastor, Methodist Church, Arvada CO
“The buzz continues—in of all places, the Dean’s staff meeting. It turns out that the College Registrar drifted in during the service and was blown away! This is not a guy who hands out accolades easily or eagerly so, another feather in your cap(s)!!”
Rick Spaulding, Chaplain, Williams College, Williamstown, MA
“The music and stories at Jazz Nativity were wonderful. Thanks for a wonderful experience.”
Denise Thimes, national jazz recording artist
“Cliff and the Oîkos band helped bring a creative spiritual adventure to our event. Cliff is a gifted leader who artfully wove us together on a delightful journey through stories, music, and shared experiences.”
Tom Rehling, Conference Minister, Rocky Mountain UCC, Denver, CO
“Enormous, grateful thanks for the beauty and power of the worship…verbal feedback kept referencing the glory of the service. You have set the bar for the Ecumenical Roundtable on Faith, Science and Technology forevermore.”
Kimberly Whitney, UCC Minister for Community Life, United Church of Christ, Cleveland OH
“Oîkos… was joyful, inspired and exactly what was needed. I highly recommend Cliff and Oîkos!”
Lynn Bujnak, Conference Minister , Vermont UCC, Burlington, VT
Thumbnail Quotes
“Music from the heart” – Ingenuity Festival, Cleveland, OH
“Soulful” – Hartford International Jazz Festival, Hartford, CT
“Transforming” – Global Village Jazz, Philadelphia, PA
“Like rain during a dry time” – ¡Missionworks! Global Gathering, Cleveland, OH
“A memorably unique experience” – Pilgrim Place, Claremont, CA
“Inspirational and vital” – UCC General Synod, Hartford, CT
“Spiritually filling, tremendous” – National Seminarian Gathering, Cleveland, OH
“A creative dialogue” – United Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, MN
“Inspiring music, your stories a blessing” – Montbello UCC, Denver, CO
“Amazing music… a special evening” – Wellspring, Cleveland, OH