BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT ... A JAZZ NATIVITY

jazznativity.org

LIGHT SERVES AS A SYMBOL OF TRUTH AND LOVE ... AND HOPE

HOPE THAT EVEN IN A DARK SEASON, WE MAY BEGIN TO SEE THE WORLD . . . BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT.

Prologue by first Host, Charles Kurali

IF WE EVER NEEDED TO SEE THE WORLD START “BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT” IT IS NOW!

BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT ... A JAZZ NATIVITY

Jazznativity.org https://jazznativity.com

When the Three Kings arrive they present the gift of their talent

AS ARTISTS, WE THREE WOMEN: COMPOSER, ANNE PHILLIPS, DIRECTOR, BETH ANN KENNEDY AND CO-PRODUCER, LEE PRIORE OF CHELSEA OPERA ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO BRING LIGHT INTO OUR WORLD. We have produced this Christmas show annually in New York for 40 years with such great jazz stars as Lionel Hampton, Dave Brubeck and Tito Puente and many cities around the country have produced it with their own local stars. It is a family show. Children love it. Jazz- lovers and non-jazz lovers alike love it. They leave with joy and hope in their hearts.

The show’s closing words, sung, are “YOU ARE LIKE A LIGHT FOR THE WHOLE WORLD ... LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE”

This year we are shooting the New York show broadcast quality so we will be able to get it on a TV platform. We have raised $40,000 of the $60,000 we need. from people who have seen and loved it through the years. If you live near Bozeman MT, Tucson, AZ, La Grange, IL or Greensboro, NC where they have been doing it annually for over 30 years, you can see it live.

A few reviews: “A spiritual classic” "a compelling evening in which the secular and sacred swirl and soar!”

“By the end of “The Jazz Nativity” you know you’ve been through something wonderful…a stirring celebration of Christmas!”

Dr. Billy Taylor, CBS Sunday Morning

“Of all the works that revolve around the spirituality/jazz axis BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT…A JAZZ NATIVITY’ seems closest to acquiring the stature of a popular classic.” David Hadju Deems Taylor Award

“None of the classics is half so giddy, nor so utterly entertaining as “The Jazz Nativity”. Howard Reich, Chicago Tribun

"I was held spellbound. I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed a more entertaining communion with God, the church, and my fellow man. It is such a rich cultural experience”. Audience member

Note from Anne Phillips:

I turned 90 this year. I was 49 when "Jazz Minister'" John Garcia Gensel

called to tell me he had suggested me as the writer of something called "The Jazz Nativity." Doing the show is just as thrilling now as the very first one at St. Peters Church. And I'm still kickin'. Standing midst the greatest jazz musicians in the world ? What could be more thrilling? Hearing my husband, tenor player Bob Kindred, start it alone in the dark with Silent Night just as i had imagined ... like a prayer. I wrote all the charts but "The First Noel" when after the first performance we knew it had to be more exciting that the Bassa Nova I had written. He sat beside me at the piano and dictated the great arrangement for shepherd Phil Woods to play. Now, so excitingly, played by alto great Jon Gordon . Dave Brubeck, happily letting me ues his 5/4 "God's Love made Visible". and playing on it.

See jazznativity.org and take a look at the players who have been in it.

I hope we can get it out to the world. Anne