December 6, 2005
To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICE
The Music of Christmas ...in Jazz
“BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT ... A JAZZ NATIVITY"
CHRISTMAS TREASURE FOR ENTIRE FAMILY RETURNS TO NEW YORK FOR TWO PERFORMANCES on TUESDAY, DEC. 20TH and WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21st TICKETS NOW ON SALE AT SYMPHONY SPACE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marking the 20th anniversary of a remarkable jazz celebration of the Christmas story, BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT ... A JAZZ NATIVITY - featuring great jazz soloists, a full band and choir, all in colorful costumes - returns to New York City for two performances Tuesday, December 20th and Wednesday, December 21st at 8 p.m. at Symphony Space.
Written, arranged and conducted by singer-songwriter Anne Phillips - at the suggestion of the late Rev. John Garcia Gensel of St. Peter's Church - the JAZZ NATIVITY will feature trombonist Slide Hampton, tap dancer Jimmy Slyde, and Latin jazz flutist Dave Valentin as the Three Jazz Kings. Singer Dee Daniels will play the role of Mary. Special guests who will join the cast in the star-studded finale of “Deck the Halls" are saxophonists Houston Person and Virginia Mayhew, trombonists Robin Eubanks, Wycliffe Gordon and Art Barron, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, jazz accordionist Eddie Monteiro, Latin percussionists Candido and Caf and violinist Russell George. The JAZZ NATIVITY is truly New York's jazz community's gift to the city. Gil Noble of WABC-TV's “Like It Is" will be the evening's host. This year's production is dedicated to Tito Puente who played the role of the Latin King for many years.
The show is a respectful, reverent and joyful version of the classic story told through a combination of well-known Christmas carols and original music by Ms. Phillips, Bob Kindred, and Dave & Iola Brubeck.
In its previous productions in New York, BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT ... A JAZZ NATIVITY has been called “a new New York tradition" (New York Magazine) and “an inspirational performance" (Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times). “When all the gifts are unwrapped and all the tinsel discarded," wrote Alison Steele in City Guide, “the memory of this extraordinary performance will keep Christmas in your heart forever."
The JAZZ NATIVITY is produced by Kindred Spirits, a not-for-profit organization formed by Ms. Phillips and her husband, tenor saxophonist Bob Kindred, who is music director and is featured in the show. Directed by Tad and Beth Jones, the JAZZ NATIVITY has been performed annually at Christmas time around the country. The late Charles Kuralt, of CBS Sunday Morning, was a frequent host and is featured on the Milan CD recording with Lionel Hampton, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Ron Carter, Benny Powell, Toots Thielemans, and many other jazz greats.
Tickets are now on sale at the Symphony Space Box Office (212-864- 5400) or www.symphonyspace.org. Prices are $55, $45, and $35. Symphony Space members may purchase tickets for $50, $40, and $30. Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. For more information about BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT...A JAZZ NATIVITYgo to www.jazznativity.com.
For Information, contact: Kindred Spirits 212-580-2349 [email protected]
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To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICE
The Music of Christmas ...in Jazz
“BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT ... A JAZZ NATIVITY"
CHRISTMAS TREASURE FOR ENTIRE FAMILY RETURNS TO NEW YORK FOR TWO PERFORMANCES on TUESDAY, DEC. 20TH and WEDNESDAY, DEC. 21st TICKETS NOW ON SALE AT SYMPHONY SPACE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Marking the 20th anniversary of a remarkable jazz celebration of the Christmas story, BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT ... A JAZZ NATIVITY - featuring great jazz soloists, a full band and choir, all in colorful costumes - returns to New York City for two performances Tuesday, December 20th and Wednesday, December 21st at 8 p.m. at Symphony Space.
Written, arranged and conducted by singer-songwriter Anne Phillips - at the suggestion of the late Rev. John Garcia Gensel of St. Peter's Church - the JAZZ NATIVITY will feature trombonist Slide Hampton, tap dancer Jimmy Slyde, and Latin jazz flutist Dave Valentin as the Three Jazz Kings. Singer Dee Daniels will play the role of Mary. Special guests who will join the cast in the star-studded finale of “Deck the Halls" are saxophonists Houston Person and Virginia Mayhew, trombonists Robin Eubanks, Wycliffe Gordon and Art Barron, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, jazz accordionist Eddie Monteiro, Latin percussionists Candido and Caf and violinist Russell George. The JAZZ NATIVITY is truly New York's jazz community's gift to the city. Gil Noble of WABC-TV's “Like It Is" will be the evening's host. This year's production is dedicated to Tito Puente who played the role of the Latin King for many years.
The show is a respectful, reverent and joyful version of the classic story told through a combination of well-known Christmas carols and original music by Ms. Phillips, Bob Kindred, and Dave & Iola Brubeck.
In its previous productions in New York, BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT ... A JAZZ NATIVITY has been called “a new New York tradition" (New York Magazine) and “an inspirational performance" (Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times). “When all the gifts are unwrapped and all the tinsel discarded," wrote Alison Steele in City Guide, “the memory of this extraordinary performance will keep Christmas in your heart forever."
The JAZZ NATIVITY is produced by Kindred Spirits, a not-for-profit organization formed by Ms. Phillips and her husband, tenor saxophonist Bob Kindred, who is music director and is featured in the show. Directed by Tad and Beth Jones, the JAZZ NATIVITY has been performed annually at Christmas time around the country. The late Charles Kuralt, of CBS Sunday Morning, was a frequent host and is featured on the Milan CD recording with Lionel Hampton, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Ron Carter, Benny Powell, Toots Thielemans, and many other jazz greats.
Tickets are now on sale at the Symphony Space Box Office (212-864- 5400) or www.symphonyspace.org. Prices are $55, $45, and $35. Symphony Space members may purchase tickets for $50, $40, and $30. Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. For more information about BENDING TOWARDS THE LIGHT...A JAZZ NATIVITYgo to www.jazznativity.com.
For Information, contact: Kindred Spirits 212-580-2349 [email protected]
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For more information contact All About Jazz.
