King of Kings, Vol. 5

An overview of the recent release of King of Kings, Vol. 5: Organ Music of Black Composers, Past and Present.

Jun 16, 2026

As this fifth volume continues the series, it does so in remembrance of Dr. Abbington’s enduring legacy and his spirit. His commitment to scholarship, advocacy, and excellence continues to guide this work and the generations of musicians who engage it. It is an honor to continue this endeavor as editor of the newly named Abbington African American Sacred Music Series, which will honor his life and contributions to the Black canon of sacred music in the United States and abroad.

-Dr. Brandon A. Boyd

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King of Kings, Vol. 5

The King of Kings series truly represents a landmark contribution to the documentation and dissemination of organ music by African American composers and composers of the African diaspora. Through his vision as a scholar, performer, and editor, Dr. W. James “Jimmie” Abbington recognized the need to preserve, publish, and elevate a body of repertoire that had too often remained absent from the canon. The volumes that followed not only brought important works into print, but also affirmed the artistic and liturgical significance of this music within both worship and concert traditions.

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Sample of Works

Meditation on PICARDY - arr. Ralph Holtzhauser

Arise My Love, and Come Away - Trevor Weston

“Arise, My Love, and Come Away” is the first movement of Love Senses, a five-movement work for soprano and organ based on excerpts from the biblical Song of Songs (this movement is for solo organ). I was impressed by the enhanced sensual response of King Solomon awakened by his beloved. “Arise, My Love, and Come Away” expresses the shock to the system one feels when falling in love. The excitement of this event is highlighted by the use of Pattin’ Juba (backbeat) rhythms in the manuals to elicit a dance-like feeling in the king’s joy. I imagined the manual chords representing the clapping off the beat to the missing foot stomps. Most American popular dance music uses this rhythm as an ostinato figure. I enjoy celebrating the human condition across time with my music. The use of modern dance rhythms to express the sentiments of ancient poetry seemed appropriate.

-Trevor Weston