Washington Ballet Celebrates Jazz’s Influence on Dance, Art

By DownBeat I Jan. 23, 2024

“Jazz Icons: A Fine Romance” will present world premieres by renowned choreographers Jessica Lang and Dwight Rhoden.
(Photo: Courtesy The Washington Ballet)

The Washington Ballet will present a spellbinding blend of ballet and jazz music featuring two highly anticipated world premieres by renowned choreographers Jessica Lang and Dwight Rhoden. “Jazz Icons: A Fine Romance,” a tribute to pioneering women in jazz and works inspired by groundbreaking pianists/composers, premieres at the Kennedy Center and runs Feb. 14–18. The event will celebrate jazz’s enduring influence on dance and art.

Jessica Lang infuses her choreography with improvisation and a deep appreciation for jazz’s legacy. She draws inspiration not only from the music itself but also from the art of Henri Matisse, whose cutouts and jazz series were influenced by the same spirit of improvisation and experimentation. Lang’s work emphasizes freedom, trust, communication and individual expression. By exploring movement and playing with dance, she creates a vibrant and ever-evolving physicality that mirrors the spontaneity of jazz itself.

Dwight Rhoden’s choreography will be a bold celebration of the courage, strength and pioneering spirit of these remarkable women. The ballet will pay homage to the unique and singular style of each artist, reflecting their vibrancy, character and musicality through movement.

As Rhoden artfully interprets the notes, rhythms and emotional depth of jazz music, he disrupts the typical structure of classic ballet, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and innovation. The result will be a visually stunning and immersive experience.

This evening’s program will showcase the artistry of jazz legends like Bill Evans, Dodo Marmarosa, Chick Corea, Chet Baker, Thelonious Monk, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Mary Lou Williams performed by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, with New York Voices for Dwight Rhoden’s piece and the piano trio of Craig Davis, Ian Ashby, and Christopher Latona to bring the music for Jessica Lang’s ballet into being. The music for “Jazz Icons: A Fine Romance” was curated by Marty Ashby, a Grammy-winning producer and founder and executive producer for MCG Jazz.

For more information on “Jazz Icons: A Fine Romance,” click HERE. DB