As with most idiomatic expressions, “If the spirit moves you” is pretty wide open in terms of usage and interpretation.

Waterford jazz saxophonist Kirk Edwards, though, means it in literal fashion — at least on his new album “Shout!” While he and an excellent band of musicians explore Latin, blues, bop, African and soul on the recording’s 12 original tunes, at the heart of it all is Edwards’ religious devotion and an affection for the gospel and church music of the Deep South.

“There’s a definite spiritual theme to the album,” the soft-spoken and kindly Edwards said in a recent interview. “My experience growing up playing music in church was important. My mom was a missionary and, from time to time, she’d give a sermon and want me to play along. That’s a traditional element in African American churches, so that type of gospel music — and the act of improvisation at a very basic level — had a huge influence.”

That “Shout!” should emerge as an artistic statement at this point in Edwards’ career makes sense as a sort of expression of cumulative experiences. His first solo album as a leader, 2022’s “The AKA Experience,” was an accomplished and fine effort that reflected the impulses, ambition and self-focus one expects from a long-anticipated debut solo work.

Edwards, who plays tenor and soprano sax and is also virtuosic on clarinet, had spent almost three decades as a member of the elite United States Coast Guard Band — adeptly mastering a wide array of styles — and has played with the Nitecaps Jazz Band, the Coalition Jazz Band and the Occam Woods Trio. He’s also a regular and enthusiastic presence in New London’s Madry Temple Church, where many of the services reflect the sort of musical spirit that inspired “Shout!”

“The AKA Project” was rife with inspired and dazzling improvisational work that reflected his growing confidence in playing with top-of-the-line session musicians Donald Vega (piano, production), Dave Baron (bass) and Peter Van Nostrand (drums).

Expanding the direction

With “Shout!,” Edwards regathered the same players — along with his brother, vibraphonist/percussionist Keith Edwards— and made a conscious effort to write material aimed outward.

“Coming out of the pandemic, I was trying to be optimistic despite the crises we’re going through,” Edwards said. “I wanted the songs to reflect a spiritual uplift, and that led me to explore a lot of musical genres but always remembering that I’m a jazz musician. I wanted to touch the public and hope they have that same sense that things are better.”

The tunes and musicianship are stellar and sizzle across the landscapes of “Shout!” Recorded in one session last August at Astoria, New York’s Samurai Hotel Studios with engineer Dave Stoller, the album mirrors the exuberance and spirit, Edwards said, of the dance and church services of his youth — a tangible symbiosis as spirit and passions heighten during the call-and-response interplay between the musicians and parishioners.

“It all comes to a crescendo, and we sought to emulate this in the recording,” Edwards explained. “We used the same types of inflections, the same rhythms and similar harmonies, and infused it with same energy and spirit. We hope that listening to ‘Shout!’ will be as therapeutic and uplifting as attending a charismatic service.”

Jack Madry, pastor at Madry Temple, said, “Kirk has been a key element in The music ministry at Madry Temple for the past 35 years, where, every Sunday, we get to hear his amazing embellishment of gospel fused with a spiritual sense of jazz. It’s the same eloquence and virtuosity on ‘Shout!’”

Reveling in the songs

On the album, where many of the song titles reflect spiritual themes, the songs include “Vaya Con Dios,” which churns mightily and leads up to Vega’s fireworks-show of a closing solo. “Strictly Business” has an easy but captivating Latin groove, and “Badalona” sounds like the Edwards brothers took over a Havana bandstand in 1958.

On “Always on Time,” the playful unison runs lead to interlocking sections with Baron and Van Nostrand walking underneath the excitement like assured young men striding a nighttime beach boardwalk. “Hope in Time of Despair” is one of those melodious ballads that make you smile as though a fine puppy made its way to your door seeking shelter during a rainstorm.

“My Walk” is Edwards and gang blasting at full throttle in finest bop fashion — and indicates his years of improvisation lessons from Vega continue to pay off in a big way. And the title cut closes the album with bubbling, Chautauqua tent joy and freewheeling chops display from a fully engaged and connected unit.

“Shout!” officially came out at the first of the year and, for an independent release, reaction has been encouraging. He scored a very positive review from “Jazz Weekly”; “Shout!” was featured on ASCAP’s New Music Friday playlist; and songs are turning up on jazz radio playlists around the country.

A good time was had by all

“Recording ‘Shout!’ was a wonderful experience,” Edwards said. “I was incredibly lucky to have Dave, Dan and Pete available again. It was special to have my brother join us, too. He’s kind of new to jazz and was excited and passionate about the opportunity — and I think WE all fed off his enthusiasm.

“We were able to rehearse together a few days before recording, and by now we’re able to play with genuine camaraderie and chemistry. We play like we’re a band and, though all of us are leaders with our own groups and careers, I’d love it if we could be together onstage more.”

Edwards admits he had a great time writing the album but remains pleasantly mystified by how the Muse works.

“A lot of times I sit down to write a piece and I might get a little way in — then just stare at the wall,” he laughed. “I might leave it alone for a while, until I get re-motivated, and then go back and embellish it a little — start simple and add stuff that works and maybe put it away again and come back later.

“Other times, a piece just … arrives! It’s just there. It’s pretty magical when it happens, but I honestly can’t say those spontaneous tunes are more special than the ones I work so hard on. What’s most magical is when you hear other musicians play the work and you see that it’s having an effect. It makes you want to play it all for people — and hopefully they react in the spirit of the music.”

Edwards is in his creative element and doing exactly what he wants. “I’m sort of learning how to build a solo career,” he said. “In my 30 year career with the Coast Guard Band, I was able to see music uplift people in times of stress and division. Now my hope is that my music can provide the same type of inspiring experience. I’ve had a career and a livelihood and now I’m at a point where I can chase those dreams. It’s a good place to be.”