Bending Towards The Light... A Jazz Nativity

is The Christmas Story told through the medium of jazz since its premiere in 1985.

Composed by Anne Phillips - Directed by Beth Ann Kennedy
Produced by Kindred Spirits & Aunahil

Thanks for a great 2023 season! See you next year!

November 30th at 7:00 PM & December 3rd at 4:00 PM

Hope Lutheran Church 2152 Graf St. in Bozeman, MT

Monday, December 18 at 8:00 PM

St. Paul & St. Andrew UMC 263 West 86th Street, NYC 10024

About The Show

People of all faiths, jazz fans and those new to it, young and old, return year after year.  The joy, love and camaraderie inherent in the show radiates throughout the audience. The show was written and arranged by singer-songwriter Anne Phillips at the suggestion of the late John Garcia Gensel, “The Jazz Pastor” of St. Peter’s Church.

The original music, written by Ms. Phillips, Bob Kindred and Dave and Iola Brubeck is combined with well-known carols.  The soundtrack recording features the late CBS journalist Charles Kuralt as host and jazz greats Lionel Hampton, Dave Brubeck and Tito Puente.

The show plays annually in New York and cities across the country.

Clark Terry sings “Mumbles” to Mary

Jazz Nativity Interviews with the Performers

Join Anne Phillips and Beth Ann Kennedy for these intimate interviews with the stars from the Jazz Nativity over the years!

"None of the classics is half so giddy, nor so utterly entertaining as 'The Jazz Nativity' that burst onto the stage of Orchestra Hall on Sunday afternoon!"

Howard Reich

Chicago Tribune

"Brilliant, infectious, the music roars … a spell-binding production!"

New York Amsterdam News

"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

“Anne Phillips has created a compelling evening in which the secular and sacred swirl and soar!”

Chuck Berg

Topeka News Journal

"None of the classics is half so giddy, nor so utterly entertaining as 'The Jazz Nativity' that burst onto the stage of Orchestra Hall on Sunday afternoon!"

Howard Reich

Chicago Tribune

"Brilliant, infectious, the music roars … a spell-binding production!"

New York Amsterdam News

"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

“Anne Phillips has created a compelling evening in which the secular and sacred swirl and soar!”

Chuck Berg

Topeka News Journal

Keep the light alive!

Light is meant to serve, as light serves for so many religions and philosophies 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.