Way back In 1985, New York jazz recording artist, Anne Phillips, was asked to compose a jazz Nativity.

Bending Towards the Light: A Jazz Nativity has been performed each December ever since in Manhattan, as well as more and more cities around the United States. Now, Bozeman’s own performance art mover and shaker, Beth Ann Kennedy, who has directed the New York production since 1995, is bringing The Jazz Nativity to Bozeman. On the evening of Thursday November 30 Anne’s work, Bending Towards the Light: A Jazz Nativity, will have its Montana premiere at Hope Lutheran Church, with an afternoon performance there the following Sunday, Dec. 3rd.

Charles Kuralt’s words from many years ago when he served as host continue to open and close the show at every performance.
AND SO WE CELEBRATE THE VICTORY  
OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS 
WE WHO ARE BOUND TOGETHER 
THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF LOVE 
AND WHEN WE GO OUT INTO THE WORLD 
WE BECOME THE DOORS AND WINDOWS 
THROUGH WHICH THE PRESENCE OF THIS LOVE IS REVEALED 
LIKE A RADIANT LIGHT 
 IT SHINES FROM OUR EYES –  OUR WORDS –  OUR ACTS  

Then the entire cast sings
AND THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS 
AND THE DARKNESS HAS NEVER PUT IT OUT 
YOU ARE LIKE A LIGHT FOR THE WHOLE WORLD 
 LET YOUR LIGHT …   SHINE 

You can find out more here: https://www.jazznativity.org/

You can hear our 2019 interview with Anne Phillips here: https://forthright.media/2019/06/25/anne-phillips-born-to-be-blue/

You can hear our 2020 interview with Beth Ann Kennedy here: https://forthright.media/2020/08/28/beth-ann-kennedy-bozeman-film-celebration-bzn-international-film-festival/