About
Bending Towards the Light: A Jazz Nativity is the traditional Christmas story told through the medium of jazz. Through the years many great jazz artists, including Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton and Tito Puente, have been a part of it playing the roles of the kings, shepherds and angels. It is both moving and joyful and has become an annual family event.
Past Performances
GREENSBORO NC every year for 25 years
ALTON, IL
CHICAGO, IL
Orchestra Hall
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL
NEW YORK, NY
St. Peters Church
St. Bartholomews Church
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
Symphony Space – Lincoln Center
Lambs Club Theater
Birdland
B.B. Kings
Christ & St. Stephen’s Church
NYACK, NY
HARRISBURG. PA
COLORADO SPRINGS
Lutheran Church
Colorado Springs Conservatory
UTICA, NY
Mt. Carmel Church
Past Performers
Lionel Hampton KING
Tito Puente KING
Dave Brubeck SPECIAL GUEST
Clark Terry KING
Charles Kuralt HOST
New York Voices SINGERS
Jon Faddis KING
Jimmy Slyde KING
Al Grey KING
Paquito D’Rivera KING
Jackie Cain & Roy Kral ANGELS
Slide Hampton KING
Savion Glover SPECIAL GUEST
Hank Jones SPECIAL GUEST
Frank Wess SPECIAL GUEST
Jimmy Heath SPECIAL GUEST
Candido BAND
Arturo O’Farrill SPECIAL GUEST
Steve Turre KING
Terell Stafford SPECIAL GUEST
Ingrid Jensen QUING
Dave Valentin KING
Byron Stripling KING
Jerry Dodgion BAND
Benny Powell KING
Gene Bertoncini BAND
Benny Wallace SPECIAL GUEST
Ursula Dudziak SPECIAL GUEST
Toots Thielemans SPECIAL GUEST
Bill Charlap BAND
Adam Makowicz SPECIAL GUEST
Milt Grayson SHEPHARD
Sweets Edison SPECIAL GUEST
Cookie Cook KING
Harold Nicholas KING
Lew Soloff KING & BAND
Ron Carter BAND
Helen Merrill MARY
Tommy Flanagan BAND
Marvin Stamm BAND
Scott Robinson BAND
Anton Denner BAND
Lewis Nash BAND
Marcus Printup BAND
Ted Nash BAND
Terrence McNight HOST
Sheila Anderson HOST
Houston Person KING
Stanley Turrentine KING
Phil Woods KING & SHEPHERD
Chris Brubeck SPECIAL GUEST
Jon Gordon BAND
George Mraz BAND
Jon Hendricks KING & SPECIAL GUEST
Charlie Caranicus BAND
Brenda Feliciano ANGEL
Doc Cheatham KING
Honi Coles KING
Karrin Allyson MARY
Gail Wynters MARY
Warren Vache SPECIAL GUEST
Wycliffe Gordon KING
Royal Bopsters VOCAL GROUP
Amy London MARY
Bobby Sanabria SPECIAL GUEST
Maurice Chestnut KING
Max Pollak KING
Tim Horner BAND
Dean Johnson BAND
Art Baron KING & BAND
Charles Osgood HOST
Dr. Billy Taylor HOST
Michael Mossman BAND
Chembo Carniel BAND
Enrique Sanchez SPECIAL GUEST
Ray Vega KING
David de Jesus SPECIAL GUEST
Claudia Acunia MARY
Bob Kindred BAND
Mel Lewis BAND
Will Anderson SHEPHERD
Eddie Montiero SPECIAL GUEST
The Foreman Twins SPECIAL GUESTS
Christine Jensen SPECIAL GUEST
Peter Anderson SPECIAL GUEST
Bobby Sanabria SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Billy Taylor HOST & SPECIAL GUEST
Stephanie McGuire SINGER
Dee Daniels MARY
Hilary Kole MARY
Kirk Nurock SPECIAL GUEST
Alan Harris SINGER
Leonarda Priore SINGER
The Sizzle
Get a glimpse of this extraordinary musical production by watching our 5-minute preview video.
The Jazz Nativity Gallery
Click on any image to see it in more detail & to view the entire gallery.
“Brilliant, infectious, the music roars … a spell-binding production!”
New York Amsterdam News
“If you ever have the chance to present “Bending Towards the Light” in your community, your audience will be enthralled.”
Andrew Tecson
Chicago, IL
“It swings so hard you dance in your seat …”
US 1
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.
