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Suite Jazz (1996-2004) View
Length of Piece: 12:00
#1(2004)
Music: “I Feel Pretty”
Composer: Leonard Bernstein
Arrangement: Jeremy Kahn
Choreography: Lane Alexander
Dancers: Lane Alexander, Tristan Bruns, Kristi Burris, Zada Cheeks, Heather Brown and Jessica Chapuis
#2 (2002)
Music: “Black Orpheus”
Composer: Luis Bonfa
Arrangement: Jeremy Kahn
Choreography: Lane Alexander
Dancers: Jessica Chapuis, Karin Ould Chih and Kristi Buris
#3 (1996)
Music: “Night and Day”
Composer: Cole Porter
Arrangement: Oscar Peterson
Transcription: Jeremy Kahn
Choreography: Lane Alexander
Dancers: Lane Alexander, Tristan Bruns, Kristi Burris, Zada Cheeks, Jessica Chapuis
#4 (2007)
Music: “Autumn Leaves”
Composer: Joseph Kosma
Arrangement: Scott Hamilton
Transcription: Jeremy Kahn
Choreography : Lane Alexander and Jessica Chapuis
Dancers: Ensemble
A blend of Waltz, Latin and Swing time rhythms and motion – beautiful melodies immediately recognizable to audiences – danced to brilliant arrangements.
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Bach’s Tops (2000) View
Music: Partita #1 in B flat Major
Composer: J.S. Bach
Choreography: Lane Alexander
Length of Piece: 10:00
Dancers: Lane Alexander, Tristan Bruns, Heather Brown, Kristi Burris, Jessica Chapuis, and Zada Cheeks
Praeludium: Tony Landa
Allemande: Tristan Bruns and Kristi Burris
Corrente: Zada Cheeks
Sarabande: Kaeren Fouts
Menuet I: Jessica Chapuis
Menuet II: Jessica Chapuis
Gigue: Lane Alexander
Originally a solo work commissioned by the Ravinia Festival for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death. Underwritten in part by the City of Leipzig and Dirk Neumann. Originally performed with harmonica virtuoso Howard Levy and renowned harpsichordist, Stephen Alltop.
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acaBAM! (2004) View
Music: A Cappella
Choreography: Lane Alexander
Length of Piece: 10:00
Dancers: Lane Alexander, Tristan Bruns, Kristi Burris, Zada Cheeks, Heather Brown, Karin Ould Chih and Jessica Chapuis
AcaBAM! Is a blend of post modern movement, layered, a cappella rhythms and body percussion that’s culminates in a rousing polyrhythmic finale that brings audiences to their feet.
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Prisms (2004) View
Music: Children’s Songs #1, #4, #7, #6
Composer: Chick Corea
Transcription: Jeremy Kahn
Choreography: Lane Alexander
Length of Piece: 12:00
Dancers: Lane Alexander, Tristan Bruns, Kristi Burris, Zada Cheeks, Heather Brown and Jessica Chapuis
Prisms combines haunting, classically-structured jazz compositions with complex rhythms and modern/jazz movements to create a visual as well as aural quilt. Prisms was the original work created for BAM! as a part of the 2004 Chicago Dancemakers’ Forum, with additional funding provided by a 2004 Illinois Arts Council Choreography Fellowship awarded to Mr. Alexander.
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I Got the Feelin’ (2007)
Music: I Got the Feelin’
Composer: James Brown
Choreography: Jessica Chapuis, Kristi Burris, Tristan Bruns
Length of Piece: 2:40
Dancers: Tristan Bruns, Kristi Burris, Jessica Chapuis, Zada Cheeks
I Got the Feelin' incorporates the electric dance moves and contagious energy of the incomparable "Godfather of Soul," James Brown. Dynamic footwork showcases Brown's revolutionary rhythms that permeated several music genres and redefined the music industry forever. The feverish style of this fast-moving piece consistently brings audiences to their feet.
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Favorite Things (2008) View
Music: My Favorite Things
Composer: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein
Arrangement: John Coltrane
Transcription: Vijay Tellis-Nayak
Choreography: Kristi Burris
Length of Piece: 3:46
Dancers: Tristan Bruns, Kristi Burris, Jessica Chapuis, Zada Cheeks
Full of movement accentuated by rhythmic dynamics, Favorite Things is a new take on an old classic.
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Funk With Us (2008)
Music: Up All Night
Composer: Groove Collective
Choreography: Lisa LaTouche
Length of Piece: 2:30
Dancers: Heather Brown, Tristan Bruns, Kristi Burris, Jessica Chapuis, Zada Cheeks, Lisa LaTouche
High energy and contemporary choreography set to an upbeat and funky groove. Funk with us leaves audiences bobbin' their heads and cheering out loud as the dancers wow them with their tricks and sassy flare!
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Bruno & Barba's Groove (2008)
Choreography: Bruno Buarque
Dancers: Company
Length of Piece: 5:00
A cultural exchange of Brazilian and American rhythms via body
percussion and vocal expression, created to parallel the cultural
consciousness that exists in society today. The creation of this dance was supported in part by a generous grant by the
Sara Lee Foundation.
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In a Mellow Tone (2009) View
Music: In a Mellow Tone
Composer: Duke Ellington
Arrangement: Milt Jackson Quartet
Transcription: Vijay Tellis-Nayak
Choreography: Guillem Alonso
Dancers: Kristi Burris, Jessica Chapuis, Zada Cheeks
Length of Piece: 3:01
Giving the old American art form of sand dancing new life, “In a Mellow Tone” is a playful romp paying tribute to past masters of sand while incorporating contemporary ideas and movements. Executed with precision and style, this piece is sure to please audiences of all ages. The creation of this dance was supported in part by a generous grant by the Sara Lee Foundation.
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Glorious (2009) View
Music: Glorious
Composer: Martha Munizzi and Israel Houghton
Arrangement: Martha Munizzi
Choreography: Tre Dumas
Dancers: Company
Length of Piece: 4:07
With an infectious gospel groove, lyrics that are simple yet profound and footwork that pays homage to many of tap’s great masters, the electric vibe and constant build of energy throughout this piece will leave all that experience it joyously invigorated. The creation of this dance was supported in part by a generous grant by the Sara Lee Foundation.
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Three Little Words (2009)
View
Music: Three Little Words
Composer: Harry Ruby
Arrangement: Nat “King” Cole
Transcription: Vijay Tellis-Nayak
Choreography: Ted Louis Levy
Dancers: Company
Length of Piece: 3:45
Choreographed by none other than Chicago’s own Emmy and Tony award winner Ted Louis Levy, Three Little Words is the picture of grace and elegance. Taking the audience on a journey through natural flow of rhythm and movement, this work is bound to become a standout in tap dance history. The creation of this dance was supported in part by a generous grant by the Sara Lee Foundation.
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Steppin'Out (2009)
Choreography: Jakari Sherman
Dancers: Company
Length of Piece: approx. 7:00
The art and tradition of African step dance and theater are brought together in a singular creation of percussive and visual authority. The creation of this dance was supported in part by a generous grant by the Sara Lee Foundation.
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Ain't No Sunshine (2009)
Music: Ain’t No Sunshine
Composer: Bill Withers
Choreography: Jessica Chapuis
Dancers: Heather Brown, Tristan Bruns, Jessica Chapuis, Zada Cheeks
Length of Piece: 3:44
Complex rhythmic layering enhances the sharp accents and raw desperation present in Bill Wither's popular funk ballad, Ain't No Sunshine. The dancers embody Withers's emotional journey by adding a visual interpretation and an underlying percussive track, thus ampifying his lonely lament.
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Legacy
Length of Piece: 25:00
1. The Walk Around (Honi Coles)
2. Honi Coles Soft Shoe
3. Eddie Brown B.S Chorus
4. Shim Sham and Coles B.S. Chorus
5. Laura by Buster Brown
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