All material found in the Press Releases section is provided by parties entirely independent of Musical America, which is not responsible for content.
Press Releases
30th Anniversary Performance of Bending Towards the Light ... A Jazz Nativity Featuring Soprano Deborah Voigt
Metropolitan Opera star Deborah Voigt is the special guest performer in Bending Toward The Light ... A Jazz Nativity, with performances on Sunday, December 20 at 5 pm and 8 pm. Chelsea Opera joins forces with Kindred Spirits, Inc to present this fresh and dramatic telling of the nativity story. WQXR's Terrance McKnight and WBGO's Sheila Anderson co-host this 30th anniversary production of Bending Toward The Light ... A Jazz Nativity at Christ and St. Stephen's Church, 120 West 69th Street in New York City. Tickets are $25 to $50, available online and at the door (cash/check only).
Bending Toward The Light was composed and arranged by Anne Phillips. The work's origins go back to 1985 when Ms. Phillips was asked to create a Christmas benefit at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in New York City. That first performance featured Dave Brubeck, Clark Terry, Gene Bertoncini and Tommy Flanegan, among others. Over the past 30 years, the work has been presented at Birdland, Lincoln Center, and Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, among other venues; with a long list of luminary performers including Tito Puente, Lionel Hampton, Phil Woods, Jon Hendricks, and Paquito D'Rivera. Music director Bob Kindred's haunting rendition of "Silent Night" created the opening mood in the darkened church that very first night just as it does today.
Bending Toward The Light tells the story of the nativity with music from beginning to end, including well-known carols combined with original songs composed by Anne Phillips and additional music and lyrics by Dave and Iola Brubeck, Bob Kindred and Henry Timm. The brilliantly-costumed Three Kings and an introduction written by Charles Kuralt make for a moving holiday experience for the entire family. In addition to soprano Deborah Voigt, this year's Bending Toward The Light ... A Jazz Nativity features hosts Sheila Anderson of WBGO and Terrance McKnight of WQXR, direction by Beth Ann Kennedy, and an all-star band. The band includes saxophonist Steve Wilson, trombonist Papo Vazquez, and appearing for his 25th year, 93-year-old Latin conga great, Candido.
About Anne Phillips
Anne Phillips' career has covered almost every area of the music business, from singer and choral arranger to conductor. Ms. Phillips is widely known in the industry as the writer, arranger, and producer of national commercials. Her discography includes several solo albums, from the classic Born To Be Blue, to her most recent release, Ballet Time, on which she sings with such old friends as Dave Brubeck and Marian McPartland. Ms. Phillips' classical works include several short operas, an Easter cantata, and a large number of songs, some of which were recorded by soprano Monica Harte (MSR Records). A believer in the healing power of music, Ms. Phillips is the Founder of Kindred Spirits, a non-profit organization which includes a Children's Jazz Choir, instrumental in introducing inner-city children to the Great American Songbook.
Chelsea Opera
About Chelsea Opera
Chelsea Opera is a professional opera company which produces fully staged operas with chamber orchestra, a concert series and other musical endeavors. Founded in 2004 by professional singers Lynne Hayden-Findlay and Leonarda Priore, Chelsea Opera serves two constituencies: singers and opera audiences. For singers, Chelsea Opera has given hundreds of artists the chance to practice their craft in a supportive professional setting in a NYC venue with chamber orchestra. For audiences, Chelsea Opera's productions of new and classic repertoire provide enthusiasts and newcomers the chance to see high quality productions with chamber orchestra in a relaxed and welcoming location with ticket prices that are affordable to a broad spectrum of the community. Performances take place in locations where the intimacy and superior acoustics make the experience exceedingly attractive for all involved. ###
Bending Towards the Light ... A Jazz Nativity
Composed & arranged by Anne Phillips Directed by Beth Ann Kennedy Additional music and lyrics by Dave and Iola Brubeck, Bob Kindred, and Henry Timm
Produced by Anne Phillips, Leonarda Priore and Lynne Hayden-Findlay
Featuring internationally renowned soprano Deborah Voigt
Sunday, December 20 5 pm & 8 pm
Christ and St. Stephen's Church 120 W. 69th New York City
Co-Hosts: Sheila Anderson, WBGO & Terrance McKnight, WQXR King/Trombone: Wycliffe Gordon King/Trumpet: Ingrid Jensen King/Tap: Maurice Chestnut (5 pm)/Max Pollak (8 pm) Shepherd: David Gordon Shepherd: Larry Long Child/Shepherd: Emily Seigel Mary: Amy London Chorale: Amy London, David Gordon, Dylan Pramuk, Ema Mitrovic, Jann Jaffe, Joanie Brittingham, Larry Long, Pete McGuiness, Shadia Almasri
With an all-star band including saxophonist Steve Wilson, trombonist Papo Vazquez, and Latin conga great, Candido
Tickets range from $25-$50 and are available online or at the door (cash/check only).
Bending Toward The Light was composed and arranged by Anne Phillips. The work's origins go back to 1985 when Ms. Phillips was asked to create a Christmas benefit at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in New York City. That first performance featured Dave Brubeck, Clark Terry, Gene Bertoncini and Tommy Flanegan, among others. Over the past 30 years, the work has been presented at Birdland, Lincoln Center, and Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, among other venues; with a long list of luminary performers including Tito Puente, Lionel Hampton, Phil Woods, Jon Hendricks, and Paquito D'Rivera. Music director Bob Kindred's haunting rendition of "Silent Night" created the opening mood in the darkened church that very first night just as it does today.
Bending Toward The Light tells the story of the nativity with music from beginning to end, including well-known carols combined with original songs composed by Anne Phillips and additional music and lyrics by Dave and Iola Brubeck, Bob Kindred and Henry Timm. The brilliantly-costumed Three Kings and an introduction written by Charles Kuralt make for a moving holiday experience for the entire family. In addition to soprano Deborah Voigt, this year's Bending Toward The Light ... A Jazz Nativity features hosts Sheila Anderson of WBGO and Terrance McKnight of WQXR, direction by Beth Ann Kennedy, and an all-star band. The band includes saxophonist Steve Wilson, trombonist Papo Vazquez, and appearing for his 25th year, 93-year-old Latin conga great, Candido.
About Anne Phillips
Anne Phillips' career has covered almost every area of the music business, from singer and choral arranger to conductor. Ms. Phillips is widely known in the industry as the writer, arranger, and producer of national commercials. Her discography includes several solo albums, from the classic Born To Be Blue, to her most recent release, Ballet Time, on which she sings with such old friends as Dave Brubeck and Marian McPartland. Ms. Phillips' classical works include several short operas, an Easter cantata, and a large number of songs, some of which were recorded by soprano Monica Harte (MSR Records). A believer in the healing power of music, Ms. Phillips is the Founder of Kindred Spirits, a non-profit organization which includes a Children's Jazz Choir, instrumental in introducing inner-city children to the Great American Songbook.
Chelsea Opera
About Chelsea Opera
Chelsea Opera is a professional opera company which produces fully staged operas with chamber orchestra, a concert series and other musical endeavors. Founded in 2004 by professional singers Lynne Hayden-Findlay and Leonarda Priore, Chelsea Opera serves two constituencies: singers and opera audiences. For singers, Chelsea Opera has given hundreds of artists the chance to practice their craft in a supportive professional setting in a NYC venue with chamber orchestra. For audiences, Chelsea Opera's productions of new and classic repertoire provide enthusiasts and newcomers the chance to see high quality productions with chamber orchestra in a relaxed and welcoming location with ticket prices that are affordable to a broad spectrum of the community. Performances take place in locations where the intimacy and superior acoustics make the experience exceedingly attractive for all involved. ###
Bending Towards the Light ... A Jazz Nativity
Composed & arranged by Anne Phillips Directed by Beth Ann Kennedy Additional music and lyrics by Dave and Iola Brubeck, Bob Kindred, and Henry Timm
Produced by Anne Phillips, Leonarda Priore and Lynne Hayden-Findlay
Featuring internationally renowned soprano Deborah Voigt
Sunday, December 20 5 pm & 8 pm
Christ and St. Stephen's Church 120 W. 69th New York City
Co-Hosts: Sheila Anderson, WBGO & Terrance McKnight, WQXR King/Trombone: Wycliffe Gordon King/Trumpet: Ingrid Jensen King/Tap: Maurice Chestnut (5 pm)/Max Pollak (8 pm) Shepherd: David Gordon Shepherd: Larry Long Child/Shepherd: Emily Seigel Mary: Amy London Chorale: Amy London, David Gordon, Dylan Pramuk, Ema Mitrovic, Jann Jaffe, Joanie Brittingham, Larry Long, Pete McGuiness, Shadia Almasri
With an all-star band including saxophonist Steve Wilson, trombonist Papo Vazquez, and Latin conga great, Candido
Tickets range from $25-$50 and are available online or at the door (cash/check only).
WHO'S BLOGGING
Law and Disorder by GG Arts Law
Career Advice by Legendary Manager Edna Landau
An American in Paris by Frank Cadenhead
FEATURED JOBS
RENT A PHOTO
