Julian Davis Reid (M.Div., Candler School of Theology) is a Black artist-theologian from Chicago whose work invites us to rejoice, lament, and hope together. A pianist, composer, producer, speaker, and writer, Julian is the founder of the ministry Notes of Rest®, a contemplative-musical experience that invites the weary to practice God’s transforming rest. A member of Emory University’s Alumni Class of 2025 40 under 40, Julian steadily releases and performs new music, most recently having released Vocation, Notes of Rest Hymns Vol.1, and BEHOLD (with The JuJu Exchange). Julian is also the Artistic Director for Testify!, a project from Christian Theological Seminary that strengthens Christian witness in Black churches by reviving testimony traditions for contemporary practice.
Julian has toured in Asia, Europe, and across North America, having performed at the Montreal Jazz Fest, Lollapalooza, and the Berlin Jazz Fest. He has created with Jennifer Hudson, Chance the Rapper, Tank and the Bangas, Andrew Bird, Jamila Woods, Derrick Hodge, Ken Medema, Peter CottonTale, Keyon Harrold, Kenneth Whalum, Isaiah Collier, and Abiodun Oyewole from The Last Poets. An award-winning writer, Julian writes about his journey as an artist-theologian on his Substack “Julian’s Note.” He has published essays on Notes of Rest in several books, including Naming the Spirit: Pneumatology through the Arts (Sept 2025), At This Time: Dialogues in Theological Education (Jan 2026) and Light for the Way (Jan 2026). His work has been covered in The New York Times, Forbes, Sojourners, Billboard, and Downbeat. Julian lives in Chicago with his wife Carmen and their daughter Lydia and they are members of Lawndale Christian Community Church.
“All these different roles that have aged in beautiful ways in my life flow through the music, and they’re really at the heart of why I write what I write,” Reid said. “They help me connect with the audience. I’m playing for you from the depths of my relationships, because I know you’ve got those two in your life.” - Julian Davis Reid
Julian Davis Reid, Piano
Ethan Philion, Bass
James Russell Sims, Drums
Tramaine Parker, Vocals