As TWB’s Valentine to DC, witness a spellbinding blend of ballet and jazz music featuring two highly anticipated world premieres by renowned choreographers Jessica Lang and Dwight Rhoden. Join us for a tribute to pioneering women in jazz & works inspired by groundbreaking composers. This unique journey through jazz history promises an unforgettable celebration of music and dance.
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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, much like the jazz musicians she honors in her piece. 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, where the energy and spirit of both the dancers and musicians transport the audience to a place where the music and dance become one.
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. Our archivist is sourcing images of these iconic figures to visually complement the performances. We invite you to join us on Valentine’s Day at The Kennedy Center for a night of lively, joyous, and profoundly moving tributes to the jazz era. “Jazz Icons: A Fine Romance” promises to be a beautiful celebration of jazz’s rich history and its enduring influence on dance and art.
February 2024
Calendar for Jazz Icons
Choreographer
Choreographer
Founding artistic director and resident choreographer of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dwight Rhoden performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal and as a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He has choreographed for New York City Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, BalletMet, Colorado Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadanco, The Washington Ballet, Ballet Nice Mediterranean, and Rome Opera Ballet, among others. Rhoden has directed and choreographed for television, film, and theater, including So You Think You Can Dance, Cirque du Soleil, world tours for Prince and Lenny Kravitz, and the film One Last Dance. Honors include a New York Foundation for the Arts award, a Benois de la Danse Award nomination for The Great Gatsby (the Mariinsky Ballet), induction into the NYFA Hall of Fame, the Choo-San Goh Award for Choreography, and an Honorary Doctorate from Boston Conservatory.
Learn More about Jazz Icons
Choreographer
Jessica Lang is an American director and choreographer based in New York City. Since 1999, Lang has created more than 100 original works for companies worldwide including the American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the National Ballet of Japan, The Joffrey Ballet, and her eponymous company Jessica Lang Dance, among many others.
For her Jazz Icons: A Fine Romance premiere, 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, much like the jazz musicians she honors in her piece. By exploring movement and playing with dance, she creates a vibrant and ever-evolving physicality that mirrors the spontaneity of jazz itself.