Yes, they are real.  Support JAZZ AIN'T DEAD in the creation and development of new music and new shows with the purchase of a JAZZ AIN'T DEAD Book of 20 First Class Postage Stamps.

Stamps may be purchased at the JAD Shop at www.JazzAintDead.com or directly on Zazzle at
www.Zazzle.com/JazzAintDead*

CLICK HERE and GET YOUR BOOK TODAY!

Jazz Ain't Dead throws down again with a hot new joint arranged by no other than our own music arranger, Chris Rob at New York City's Bowery Poetry Club for Mo Beasley's UrbanErotika show. Our new edition to the Jazz Ain't Dead family, singer, Diandra Patrick and our two dancers Shakirah Stewart and Carmen Carriker were smokin' performing to our new rendition of "My Man's Gone Now," a Porgy and Bess favorite made famous by Nina Simone. 

Hope to see you all at the next show!

  

Check out what Mo Beasley, host of UrbanErotika, had to say about our JAD performance:

Mo Beasley:  "Candice, you, Diandra, and your dancers were OUTSTANDING at UrbanErotika Saturday night. You set wonderfully high bar for the show and got the show off to powerful start!! THANK YOU!! It was honor and joy to have you in our house. Please come back in September. I will call/email soon to work out the details. Keep doing what you do and keep me posted on upcoming performances. I'll be there every chance I get. ;-)...."

Woot! Woot!  Go JAD!

Photography by Neil Tandy

Jazz Ain't Dead
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Dance Review:  Jazz Ain't Dead Rips APAP 2010 Showcase

On Sunday, January 10, 2010, I head downtown on the 1 train to Dance New Amsterdam, as they host a slew of cutting edge New York City dance companies in the 2010 APAP Showcase!  Not gonna lie... Dance New Amsterdam’s address is very confusing, and I find myself walking around aimlessly wishing for an iPHONE or some other sort of gadget that will lead me straight to the doorstep of DNA.  Instead, I curse at my Zack Morris-esque Verizon cell phone.  However, a quick phone-call and slice of pizza later, I am being greeted by the front desk of DNA, aka two chicks in snuggies.

Upstairs is a frenzy of activity, a feeling I miss since not having performed in awhile, that pre-show anticipation.  Girls and guys going over choreography, putting on their make-up, ironing costume pieces…. It’s no wonder we love this business!   I feel the excitement and energy racing through my bones. Although there are several companies that I had the privilege of watching, what I believe to BE the most fun piece of the night is Candice Michelle Franklin’s JAZZ AIN’T DEAD.

Jazz Ain’t Dead brings DNA alive with its brand new fiery orchestrations of Porgy and Bess songs…Jazz standards with a house beat and funky atmosphere.  Opened by M.C. Michael Forde, a chicly dressed hype man complete with fedora and booming voice, the piece teaches us a little about the history of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and the significance it has had on not only African Americans, but jazz music, and the profile of the America that we are today.

Downstage of the live jazz band and vivacious lady singer, Kenyetta Coffee, golden-clad dancers are on and off the stage like wack-a-mole heads… one minute you see them, the next you don’t!  Franklin creates an intricate web of action that leaves you screaming out things like “She better work!!” or “GET ITTTT!!!”  Fierce legs, gorgeous turns, hot unison sections, wild hair, and sexy partnering all took their place in the “circus” that Franklin calls it with a laugh.  Not to mention the entourage of audience members who make their support warmly felt throughout the performance!

I also really appreciate the freedom Franklin gives her dancers to show off their  “tricks” without shame!  So often in the concert world, we get so stuck on our stuffy definitions of artistry that we shun elements that are truly difficult and can be so much fun to watch.  Franklin claims that she wants to emulate the feeling of Jazz music and the way the genre is performed in the tradition of its musicians in live performance… when the musicians are allowed to “do their thang”, why shouldn’t the dancers!!?  Amen!

The end of the piece brings the entire house down to standing ovation as DJ NYCK Henry spins for the curtain call while the band gets to jam and the hype man conjures more applause from the audience, leading into the ending choreography with the whole ensemble in a wild exciting frenzy!  Kudos JAZZ AIN”T DEAD.  It certainly isn’t!

Photography by Crystal J. Wilson

iDANZ Critix Corner
Official Dance Review by Sheena DiMatteo
Performance:  Jazz Ain't Dead, Celebrates the Legacy of Gershwin's Porgy & Bess 2010 APAP Showcase
Venue: Dance New Amsterdam, NYC 
Choreographer: Candice Michelle Franklin
Show Date: January 10, 2010
www.iDANZ.com

Dancers:  Jerome Melsaun Warren, Chelsea Arce, Anthony DeCarlis, Shakirah Stewart, Caroline Banks, JoiLynn, Demar Braxton, Careitha Davis, Youthen Joseph

Band Members:  Mansa Gory (Trombone), Teodross Avery (Tenor Saxophone), Jimmy Lopez (Congas), Travis Antoine (Trumpet), Gabriel Jennings (Djembe), Chad Giles (Soprano Sax), Kenyetta Coffee (Vocalist), Billy Davis (Vocalist)

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Dancers from Jazz Ain't Dead perform and accompany cast members from the hit play, Billie's Blues, directed by T. Bankole, for a fundraiser for Barak Obama.  The Fundraiser was held at Danny Simmons' Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn.  The featured performance showcased the star from Billie's Blues, Miss Celine Justice, who performed live, "My Man" along with dancers, Candice Michelle Franklin and Demar Braxton from the music concert, Jazz Ain't Dead.  Also on hand, to perform from Jazz Ain't Dead were dancers, Danion Lewis and Careith Davis.