LaTasha Barnes Presents
The Jazz Continuum
70 min
Schaeffer Theatre
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Artist Talk
Tues, July 18, 7:30pm
The BDF Tent
The Jazz Continuum Visionary & Artistic Director LaTasha Barnes and Musical Director Christopher McBride take a deep dive into the history and contemporary resonance of Jazz music and dance. Moderated by BDF Artist in Residence Gesel Mason.
The Jazz Continuum is an unapologetic celebration of the prolific power of Black American artistry with Jazz as its center. Barnes reaches back nearly 100 years, connecting dances that sprang from America’s Black Jazz music to dance and music expressions of today such as House, Vogue, Lindy Hop, Hip-Hop, Hand Dances, Line Dances and more! Performed by an all Black, intergenerational cast of dancers and musicians, The Jazz Continuum is also a celebration of community and collaboration. Each performer investigates their personal relationship to Jazz as they explore imaginings of its inspirations and reapplications.
“A generous, joyful elixir of an experience.” — Janine Parker, The Boston Globe
LaTasha Barnes is an internationally recognized and awarded dance artist, educator (Asst. Prof of Dance ASU), and tradition-bearer of Black American Social Dance. The New York Times said of the Bessie-award winning Barnes that she: “is especially extraordinary for the way the past and the present can pass through her.” Currently operating between New York and Phoenix, Barnes’ expansive artistic, competitive, and performative skills have made her a frequent collaborator to arts organizations around the world. She is honored to serve as the visionary creator and Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed intergenerational and intercommunal Black cultural arts experience The Jazz Continuum. She is also grateful to be part of the Brain Trust guiding the ground-breaking stage production SW!NG OUT’, the highly innovative faculty of Arizona State University School of Music, Dance & Theater, and serves as Board Chair to the Ladies of Hip-Hop organization.
More information: latashabarnes.com/about / elsieman.org/artist-roster/latashabarnes
The Jazz Continuum
DIRECTING TEAM
Visionary & Artistic Director – LaTasha Barnes
Musical Director – Christopher McBride
Lighting Designer – serena wong*
Costume Director – Mary Jane Marcasiano
Dramaturg– Melanie George
PRODUCTION
Production Manager – Michele Byrd-McPhee
Lighting Director – Kelly Martin
Rehearsal Director – Reyna Núñez
Stage Manager – Ndanu Mutisya
Managing Producer – Laura Colby
DANCE EXPLORERS
Imani Arrington
LaTasha Barnes
Michele Byrd-McPhee
Ray F. Davis
Le’Andre Douglas
Melanie George
Tyedric Hill
Duane Lee Holland Jr.
Desmond Howard
Breai Michele
Reyna Núñez
MUSIC EXPLORERS
Bass – Errick Lewis
Drums – Marcus Parker
DJ/Turntablist – to be announced
Piano – Idris Frederick
Saxophone – Christopher McBride
Vocals – Imani Rousselle
Managing Producer – Laura Colby
Stage Manager – Ndanu Mutisya
