Paul Winter’s 42nd Winter Solstice Celebration is expected at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine around Saturday, December 18, 2021 at solsticeconcert.com.
Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration
This is an annual multicultural holiday show at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It is a contemporary interpretation of ancient solstice rituals that welcome back the sun from the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice.
The show is centered around the 10-member Paul Winter Consort, but usually features gospel singer Theresa Thomason, and the 25 dancers and drummers of the Forces of Nature Dance Theatre. Mr. Winter demonstrates an innate understanding of where jazz music traditions come from. “Forces of Nature” is code for Yoruba and related traditions of West Africa. Thomason’s gospel is part of what happened when British colonizers took away the drum.
This concert is an unforgettable lifetime experience. The hall is so big and the music so rich. Winter also produces the equally magical Paul Winter’s Summer Solstice Celebration in June.
Paul Winter
Paul Winter is a seven-time Grammy winning Jazz saxophonist. Winter’s band was the first Jazz band to play the White House (for President Kennedy). Winter was working in Brazil when Bossa Nova hit in the 1960s. He was part of that. Winter was also one of the early artists working in World music and later in Earth music.
Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice is the longest night / shortest day of the year. In prehistory, it was a moment of fear that the sun would disappear forever. The Winter Solstice is the root of northern winter holiday traditions like Christmas.
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is one of the largest churches in the world. It’s interior provides some incredible acoustics. It’s been a space for sacred music since Duke Ellington’s Second Sacred Concert in 1968. Paul Winter is an artist-in-residence.
41st Solstice Celebration 2020
Paul Winter’s 41st Winter Solstice Celebration at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine is live streaming Saturday, December 19, 2020 at solsticeconcert.com $20. This year’s theme is “Everybody Under the Sun.”
40th Solstice Celebration 2019
This celebration is Thursday-Saturday, December 19-21, 2019 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights, Manhattan. From $38 (Students $15)
Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at solsticeconcert.com
39th Solstice Celebration 2018
Thursday, December 20: 7:30pm
Friday, December 21: 7:30pm
Saturday, December 22: 2pm & 7:30pm
38th Solstice Celebration 2017
The 2017 celebration is Thursday – Saturday, December 14 – 16, 2017. This year’s special guests are the Pletenitsa Balkan Choir.
