| The Sermon | |
| Type: | Album |
| Artist: | Hampton Hawes |
| Cover: | The Sermon.jpg |
| Released: | 1987 |
| Recorded: | November 24–25, 1958 |
| Studio: | Contemporary Records Studio, Los Angeles |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Length: | 40:49 |
| Label: | Contemporary C 7653 |
| Producer: | Lester Koenig |
| Chronology: | Hampton Hawes |
| Prev Title: | Recorded Live at the Great American Music Hall |
| Prev Year: | 1983 |
| Next Title: | Live at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago Volume Two |
| Next Year: | 1989 |
The Sermon is an album of spirituals by American jazz pianist Hampton Hawes recorded in 1958, but not released on the Contemporary label until 1987.[1]
The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow called said the album was "full of intense emotion, strong melodies and a little more variety than one might expect" and stated "This set was pianist Hampton Hawes' last before he started what would be five years in prison on drug charges. He had been arrested 11 days before and ironically chose to record a set of spirituals (plus a blues) as he awaited trial".
All compositions are traditional except as indicated