Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Sermonette | Music Lifts

In the fifth edition of Music Lifts (2026), we’re uplifted by legendary vocal jazz trio Lambert, Hendricks & Ross performing “Sermonette.”

Welcome to Music Lifts, featuring songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the fifth edition of Music Lifts (2026), we highlight “Sermonette” as performed by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.

No, I haven’t heard it yet, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.  Can you please expound on said sermonette? “It tells about real true love / People lost sight of,” the talented jazz vocal trio asserts, “Through their sinful livin’ / And scornin’ heaven above.” Amen! “Sermonette” appeared as the eighth track on the trio’s 1959 album, The Hottest New Group in Jazz. The trio was comprised of Dave Lambert (1917 – 1966), Jon Hendricks (1921 – 2017), and Annie Ross (1930 – 2020). On “Sermonette,” I love the prominence of Ross’s voice, as well as how it blends with Lambert and Hendricks. Renowned jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley (1928 – 1975) composed the original version of “Sermonette,” first recorded by his brother, trumpet and cornetist Nat Adderley (1931 – 2000). Hendricks, a pioneer of vocalese, penned the lyrics, transforming the powerful instrumental track into an uplifting, vocal gem. Teo Macero (1925 – 2008) and Irving Townsend (1920 – 1981) produced it.

What other things did Lambert, Hendricks & Ross hear in the sermonette? “It tells you to love one another / To feel that each man’s your brother,” they assert, and continue, “Live right, ‘cause you know / That you reap what you sow.” Biblical! It’s giving Galatians 6!  And even if it weren’t Biblical, these messages delivered through song are norms that everybody should adhere to and live by, religious or not.  With their pitch-perfect voices and superb vocal chemistry, the trio prudently concludes, “And so to have no regrets / And to find what you’re missin’ / Bow your head and listen / To this sermonette.” Beyond the top-notch musicianship vocally, the combo that accompanies is totally in the pocket! Harry “Sweets” Edison (1915 – 1999) compels with an extended, colorful, muted trumpet solo. His improvisations are nothing short of decadent – truly sweet! While “Sweets” cooks as the main attraction, pianist Gildo Mahones (1929 – 2018) cooks on the keys, providing soulful comps and quoting the melody selectively.  Meanwhile, Ike Isaacs (1923 – 1981, bass) and Walter Bolden (1925 – 2002, drums) keep it tight, providing a solid foundation.  There are also claps, which further gospelize this jazzy joint. Post-solo, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross finish up their sermonette masterfully with those potent lyrics excerpted earlier. “Sweets” provides an exclamation point with his final, agile riffs.  Although it is an oldie from the 1950s, “Sermonette” is the definition of a goodie with a potent, powerful, and thought-provoking message.  Lambert, Hendricks & Ross were the stuff, NO CAP!

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Lambert, Hendricks & Ross » The Hottest New Group in Jazz » Columbia » 1959

Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Sermonette: Music Lifts No. 5 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Columbia; Emma Bauso, foad shariyati, nappy, Niko Twisty, Victoria Strelka_ph, Wolrider YURTSEVEN from Pexels; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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