SAN FRANCISCO, Calif: Seventy-six years ago, soul great Samuel Lightin’ Hopkins ushered in hope with his recording of the spiritual “Needed Time.” Today, as the world faces the same upheaval, jazz musician Dan Damon has released a stunning live rendition in advance of a new duo album by the same name with bassist Kurt Ribak.

The live performance was filmed at Ninth Street Opus studio in Berkeley, California, and begins with Damon singing a capella—a reminder that we each can find hope within during times of crisis.

“I first heard the 1950 Lightnin’ Hopkins recording of this traditional spiritual in November 2025 and fell in love with its heartfelt call for Jesus to come and be present with us. In these troubled times we need the strong transforming presence of the risen Christ. This album is a love letter to our hurting and beautiful world,” said Damon.

“Needed Time” is the title track of Damon’s forthcoming album, out February 14, 2026. Inspired by the collaboration of jazz greats bassist Charlie Hayden and pianist Hank Jones, Damon and Ribak offer a bluesy take on classic spirituals equally at home inside or outside the church.

Aside from the title track, the album is pure piano and bass—an illuminating and compelling take on beloved songs like “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands,” and “Give Me Jesus”.

“I have been playing jazz arrangements of spirituals in churches for many years.These songs move me more than anything else in the wide world of church music,” said Damon.

The recording continued a long-time collaboration with producer Lincoln Adler and engineer Adam Muñoz. “I’ve recorded a few albums with Dan in small group formats, but this recording had us stripped down to the basics—just a duo of piano and bass. I had nobody else to hide behind,”

said Ribak. “A labor of love, it was deeply satisfying to play on this project with these friends in

this setting, exploring music that speaks deeply to me.”

Dan Damon’s live performance of “Needed Time” is available now on Youtube.

His upcoming album, Needed Time will be available on all platforms February 14, 2026. Follow him on Spotify now.

About Dan Damon:

Hailing from Rapid City, South Dakota, Dan received degrees from Greenville College (BME) and the Pacific School of Religion (MDiv), becoming a United Methodist pastor and jazz musician.

With works sung in churches across the globe, he has released 13 records and multiple hymn anthologies. In 2016, Dan was named a Fellow of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, its highest honor. Dan retired from ministry in 2020 after serving 33 years in Northern California. He has taught church music at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and plays jazz regularly in the San Francisco Bay area. For further information visit DanDamonMusic.com.