N.Y. PROGRAM : A BLEND OF THE ARTS IN JAZZ NATIVITY

Joy to the world in abundance was brought to a large congregation of music lovers Monday evening, when a jazz nativity, “Bending Towards the Light,” was presented at St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue.

Composed, arranged, produced and conducted by Anne Phillips, this unique presentation involved traditional and original Christmas songs, a choir, a dancer, vocal soloists ranging from semi-operatic to scat, and a small, distinguished gathering of musicians.

So skillfully were these elements interwoven that it seemed logical to move from a hymn to a jazz bass solo, or for a trombone’s ad lib chorus to be joined by the 10 singers.

Linking the musical numbers were biblical readings from St. Luke by the Rev. Edmund L. Browning, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. Among the original songs were “Softly Falls the Gentle Night,” with singer Helen Merrill as the Virgin Mary, Tommy Flanagan at the piano, and a graceful dance interlude by Loretta Abbott.

“What Child Is This” found Jackie Cain and Roy Kral at center stage as Guardian Angels in long white robes. In a colorful interlude, the Three Kings marched solemnly up the aisle of the great church in multicolored gowns and plumed hats. They turned out to be Doc Cheatham, the 81-year-old jazz trumpeter; Charles Cook, a tap dancer in the grand tradition, and Tito Puente, whose solo on the timbales was a vibrant highlight.

Dave Brubeck and his lyricist wife, Iola, contributed “God’s Love Made Visible,” with Brubeck taking over at the piano for a solo that even converted “Jingle Bells” into 5/4 time.

This inspirational performance, which had opened gently with “Silent Night” played by Bob Kindred on tenor sax and Gene Bertoncini on guitar, ended jubilantly with the entire cast in “Deck the Halls,” “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Joy to the World.”

“I worked for years on putting this program together,” said Anne Phillips. “We hope we can bring it to churches all over the country.” Her creation, always sacred and never profane, surely deserves more extended exposure.