A Paul Winter Solstice Concert 2010

Every winter for more than a quarter-century, saxophonist Paul Winter has celebrated the longest night of the year with a concert, the Winter Solstice Celebration. NPR has presented the event for 21 years running, held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in upper Manhattan.

Winter's soprano sax is backed by the Paul Winter Consort, driving a theatrical spectacle filled with music and dancing. John Schaefer of WNYC hosts the broadcast, welcoming Brazilian singer Renato Braz, gospel singer Theresa Thomason, double-reed master Paul McCandless and more.

The solstice performances celebrate the return of the sun after the long nights of darkness, placing an emphasis on the environment — another of Winter's passions. He's received the Global 500 Award from the U.N. in recognition of his musical contributions to the environment.

The U.S. State Department sent Winter and his college jazz band on a tour of Latin America in 1962, an experience that helped solidify the saxophonist's fascination with culture and music from around the world.

A few years later, Winter launched the Paul Winter Consort, the core performing group for the annual Winter Solstice concerts. Every year, its members are joined by international musicians to play at the world's largest Gothic cathedral.