John Parker III takes a hymn everybody grew up hearing, flips it with a jazz-soul glow-up, and somehow keeps all the comfort of the original while giving it fresh life. “What a Friend” takes the classic What a Friend We Have in Jesus and layers Parker’s own lyrics on top, turning it into something that feels familiar and brand new at the same time.
Also Read: Rusty Puzzles Turns a Dance Tune Into a Tearjerker with ‘Don’t Tell Grandma’
This track lands right in that Gospel-Jazz pocket, warm keys, velvety chords, a groove that feels like Sunday morning and late-night jam-session energy at the same time. What hits first is how clean the blend is. Nothing fights for attention; everything sits exactly where it should. You can hear the love and the respect for the hymn, but also the freedom to play, to improvise, to let the song breathe.
And the lineup? Wild.
Cory Henry, Tony McLendon, Arnetta Johnson, Richard “Tubbs” Smith, Gorden Campbell, Anthony Bell, plus Grammy winner Scott “Shavoni” Parker in the producer seat. You can hear that pedigree. The musicianship is tight, expressive, and full of subtle moments you notice more with every replay. It’s lush without being crowded.
Parker’s delivery is what seals it, though. His voice has that gentle reassurance you want in a Gospel-Jazz record, steady, smooth, honest. His new lyrics slide in naturally, carrying the heart of the hymn but speaking directly to life in 2025: the highs, the lows, and the reminder that God’s friendship doesn’t waver no matter how chaotic your week gets. A beautiful update to a timeless song.
Stream Below:
FOLLOW ARTIST
