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Dance, Rhythm and Rhyme
The Beats of NYC bring cultural profusion
Percussionist Ali Jackson Jr.
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An exciting commemoration of a modern age in music will be celebrated with The Beats of NYC: A Jazz Journey Through Dance, Rhythm, and Rhyme, taking place January 22–23 at 7:30 and 9:30, at The Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center. The celebration of the arts—dance, music and spoken word—all set to the beat of a pounding percussion by world-renowned percussionist Ali Jackson Jr. is both a look back at and continuation of the standards set by the jazz greats of the past.
The program, in its inaugural season, has been curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Jackson. Of its concept, Jackson has said, “The melting pot of New York City helps artists to discover who they are, why they are and what they want to be. The discovery of oneself takes place in discovering a perspective of the world and New York City does this like no other place on the planet. Music, dance and, poetry thrive with so much variety in NYC,” said Ali Jackson, the Beats of NYC music director. “We will explore the ideas, concepts, and fundamental elements of these disciplines. My music reflects the world as New York City reflects the world. I’ve learned that the ’beat’ of my chosen instrument, the drum, serves as the core of all forms of expression. Whether it’s the ’beat’ of someone’s voice or the ’beat’ of a classical orchestral work, the impact that percussion has had on art, and artists alike, is undeniable.” Jackson’s own beats will tie together the artistic performances of multi-genre and multi-cultural artists. These include, modern dancer Hope Boykin of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, jazz pianist, Marc Cary, spoken word artists Latasha N. Nevada Diggs and David Jefferson Jr., jazz guitarist/vocalist Lionel Loueke, bassist Ben Williams, and tap dancer extraordinaires Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards and Derick K. Grant.
The Beats of NYC will premiere original works from these artists and reinterpret classic jazz pieces. Inspiration for the pieces include Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Mississippi John Hurt, John Lee Hooker, Wynton Marsalis, Walt Whitman, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Gil Scott-Heron and Nas amongst others, and performances include highlights such as a piece featuring a solo piano and tap dancer heavily influenced by Alvin Ailey to a special arrangement of Marsalis’ “Spaces” featuring elements of dance, poetry, and tap.
To purchase tickets to The Beats of NYC: A Jazz Journey Through Dance, Rhythm, and Rhyme C, call (212) 721-6500 or visit www.jalc.org.