Steve Turre playing the shells
2024 Productions
New York | Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew
Monday December 16th | 8:00 PM
West End Ave & 86th St
Greensboro, NC | Rohbeth Church
Friday, December 13 | 6:00 PM
4475 Rohbeth Church Road
Tucson, AZ | New Spirit Lutheran Church
Sunday, December 22 | 5:00 PM
Monday, December 23 | 7:00 PM
8701 E Old Spanish Trail
Chicago | St Cletus Parish Center
Sunday, December 15 | 4:00 PM
700 W 55th St., LaGrange, Illinois.
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
Produce The Jazz Nativity
You can produce this joyful, inspiring show in your community! It has been performed with local casts throughout the country: in Utica, NY, Colorado Springs, Evanston and Chicago, IL, Topeka, KS and Greensboro, NC…. Audiences of all faiths and beliefs love it.
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!
"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
"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
“What an awesome experience—worthy of Broadway with fantastic choral and orchestral music, dancing and spiritual messages. Kudos to West Market St. UMC for bringing this wonderful gift to our community!”
Barbara Gesse
Greensboro News & Record, NC
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.