Bending Towards the Light: a Jazz Nativity

Everyone was terrific - especially Lew Soloff, the trumpet player. you must go and see him. he was great!!!

A great Christmas show which told the Nativity story in a Jazzy, yet respectful way.

I went last year, I went again this year, and I will be going next year and every year they continue to have it. The backing band is one of the tightest I've ever heard and the Three Kings themselves brought the house down. I don't want to point out any particular names because to mention one and accidentally fail to mention another would be doing that musician or singer or dancer an extreme disservice. This is a must-see for any fan of music, much less jazz. You WILL enjoy it.

the entire event was soo amazing and fun! i am going to go every year now!

A moving, exciting production! All the musicians and singers were outstanding. This was the 25th year of performing the Jazz Nativity and it was as fresh and brilliant as ever, with top talent and special guests. The audience was entranced and enthusiastic throughout the production.

Amazing event every year! The highlight of my holiday season!

After seeing Bending Towards the Light at Birdland last year, I was looking forward to seeing it performed on the larger stage at BB's. The stage set up was disappointing and the backdrop appeared to be a large white sheet. And despite paying a premium for reserved seats, we were at stage left and, but for the monitors, would not have been able to see all of the performers. That unpleasantness aside, the musicians and, for the most part, the vocalists did not disappoint. The band was a reprise of last year's lineup at Birdland. Led by Bob Kindred, who started the evening with a breathy tenor solo, each was on his game. No one gets a trombone to growl better than Art Baron, who simply attacks his solos with energy and excitement. Lew Soloff on trumpet and Jon Gordon on alto gave distinguished performances. Their solos soared, exploring the nuances of a jazz explained nativity with creativity and unrestrained joy. The rhythm section of Dean Johnson on bass and Tim Horner on drums was solid, particularly the passages bowed by Johnson. Adam Asarnow contributed some very lyrical piano. Jordan Kirkwood, who was spectacular as the Shepard Boy at Birdland last year, was merely good this year. It was apparent that this promising young vocalist - another year older - had difficulty with the higher ranges. Marcus Garvey Daniels was half a pitch off for the first half of the show. Stefanie McGuire is a superb soprano whose powerful voice again exemplifed the might of the Archangel. Amy London was adequate but undistinguised as Mary. The Three Kings, also reprised from last year's Birdland lineup, were as spectacular as ever. Warren Vache may not only be the best trumpeter/cornetist on the NY scene today, he clearly got into the role, his eyes twinkling in unabashed merriment. Steve Turre never disappoints on trombone and shells and Max Pollack makes one question why tap dancing has gone the way of the Edsel. The Three Magi were indeed magic in their performances. Guest Arturo O'Farill on piano had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Frank Ness at 88 years old still plays some of the tastiest sax around.

Not much else can be said about The Jazz Nativity other than it was an unforgettable night of music and the celebration of the season. The entire show built like a tsunami and culminated in one of the craziest "Deck the Halls" I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. There was not one weak moment in the entire show. Bob Kindred's rendition of "Silent Night" was, in a word, haunting. All of the vocals were spot-on the entire evening and the arrival of the Three Kings (Steve Turre - trombone, Max Pollak - dancer, and Warren Vache - trumpet) was an emotional high like I've never experienced before. The duels between the Three Kings and their counterparts, Steve Turre and Art Baron on trombone, Max Pollak and Maurice Chestnut hoofing, and Warren Vache and Lew Soloff on trumpet were, to me, the highlights of the show. I hate to give such a strong recommendation because I know it will probably make it more difficult to get seats next year, but I would truly be doing a disservice to what I consider to be THE must-see event of the holiday season.

The show was amazing. The vneue was disappointing, given that I saw the show previoulsy at Birdland which had a much more attractive ambiance, but tis did not detract from the sow. I will go every year even at B.B> King's.