A Paul Winter Solstice Concert 2017

Since 1980, saxophonist Paul Winter has brought musicians from around the world together for his Winter Solstice Celebration, a festive performance marking the passing of the longest night and the return of the sun. The annual concert draws thousands of visitors to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Upper Manhattan. Winter's soprano sax echoes throughout the world's largest Gothic cathedral, leading a spectacle of music, dance and theater. As he has since its inception, WNYC's John Schaefer hosts NPR's broadcast.

Drummers, singers and players from all continents participate in one of New York's largest holiday events. As always, Winter is backed by the Paul Winter Consort, which is celebrating its 50th year. The saxophonist formed the group in 1967 after a U.S. State Department-sponsored tour of Latin America sparked a lifelong fascination with world music.

Joining the Consort in this broadcast are the stunning Brazilian vocalist Fabiana Cozza; Renato Braz, a musician and songwriter whose calm, high tenor embodies saudade, that uniquely Brazilian sense of well-being; Procul Harum's founder and keyboardist Gary Brooker; the roof-raising gospel star Theresa Thomasson; and renowned oboist Paul McCandless, Paul Winter's collaborator from the original Consort.

A small army of stage technicians highlights all the drama of the quarter-mile-long cathedral, and the Murray Street and Living Music broadcast production team renders the dynamic portrait in sound.

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