By: Samantha Mansolf | Co Social Media Coordinator
On Thursday, November 10th, Salve Regina’s Music, Theatre, and Dance Department collaborated with Alvon Reed, Carlos R.A. Jones, and Duane Lee Holland to bring a celebration of Black American jazz dance to the stage. “When you have a pressure, what seeps out is a brilliance of diamonds,” said Jones, describing Black American jazz. The depression in Black Americans due to suppression cultivated a joyful and beautiful form of dance. The pieces from Alvon Reed were created in the ongoing musical project entitled, “Hattie Mae’s Jook Joint,” including both song and dance. The dancers conveyed the ideals of the roots of jazz dance phenomenally, and their hard work to put on a great show was apparent.
Alvon Reed is an assistant professor of Musical Theatre at The University of Alabama, as well as a dancer and choreographer. This fall, Reed completed a six-week residency with the dance program at Salve Regina and taught several classes while working on this production. The performance was made possible through the Antone Grant, that allowed Guarino to host guest artists.
The guest choreographers gave the audience a sense of what jazz dance meant to them after the performance concluded. Lindsay Guarino, chair of the Music, Theatre and Dance Department, was a moderator for the discussion and added her perspective on what jazz dance should look like. With Salve being a predominantly white community, Guarino stated, “White people have a responsibility when they participate in the form.” The choreographers made it very clear that the hard work put in by the dancers both in the classroom and on the dance floor to understand what Black American jazz dance encompasses paid off.
Overall, the performance left the audience more knowledgeable about jazz and its roots. The dancers were exceptional, and the Salve community is looking forward to their next showcase.
Photo Credit: Lindsay Guarino
