For four decades, Bending Towards the Light…A Jazz Nativity has brought warmth, hope, and world-class music to audiences during the darkest stretch of the year. Inspired by the idea that light represents truth, love, and the persistent hope that “the world may begin to see itself bending towards the light,” the production continues to shine—now celebrating its milestone 40th anniversary.
The story began in 1985, when Rev. John Garcia Gensel—known widely as the “Jazz Minister”—phoned composer, singer, and arranger Anne Phillips with a proposal: to create what would become the very first Bending Towards the Light…A Jazz Nativity. That inaugural performance at the landmarked St. Peter’s Church featured an astonishing roster of jazz legends, including Dave Brubeck, Clark Terry, Tommy Flanigan, and Honi Coles.
As the years rolled on, the production became a gathering place for some of the greatest names in jazz. Lionel Hampton, Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Ron Carter, Jon Faddis, Jon Hendricks, tap masters Harold Nicholas and Jimmy Slyde, Jackie Cain and Roy Kral, soprano Maertha Stewart, The New York Voices, and celebrated percussionist Candido—who appeared annually—are just some of the artists who left their mark on the show. The evolving cast helped cement the Jazz Nativity as both a holiday tradition and a living piece of jazz history.
Under the direction of Beth Ann Kennedy, the production took on a more theatrical dimension. Its later partnership with Leonarda Priore’s Chelsea Opera further elevated the work into a true jazz opera. In 1992, the Jazz Nativity staged a five-performance run at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue—an early sign of the Upper West Side’s special connection to the show.
The production has also expanded culturally. In 2012, a full Spanish-language version—with translation by Shirley Scott and promotion by Betsie Batista—premiered at B.B. King’s in Times Square, performed by an entirely Latino cast.
The show’s signature song, “Bending Towards the Light,” written by Phillips and her late husband, tenor saxophonist Bob Kindred, was later added and became both the thematic and literal title of the production. As always, the performance begins in complete darkness with a lone tenor saxophone playing “Silent Night,” and concludes with a full jazz choir singing the show’s final message: “You are like a light for the whole world. Let your light shine.”
This year’s Kings are (left to right) Maurice Chestnut, Paquito D’Rivera and Ingrid Jensen
This year’s New York City performance will take place on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 8 p.m. at Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church, located at the corner of West End Avenue and West 86th Street.
Over the years, Bending Towards the Light…A Jazz Nativity has been recreated in cities nationwide, each production featuring its own community of jazz stars. But the New York performance remains its spiritual home—and this anniversary year promises a particularly special celebration.
For full performance schedules and ticket information, visit www.jazznativity.org.
