FeelingJAZZ
A Duo for a Body and a Saxophone
Duration: 25 Minutes
feelingJAZZ flew to me while attending several great jazz concerts in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Enjoying
the rhythms of Black people when walking down the street, or in the subway when they shorten my waiting time with their gorgeous
plays. I felt my body memory, the rich heritage of Eastern Nigeria and Eastern Europe, felt Western African dance and rhythms,
the tragedy and the romance of the Russian classical ballet in my bones. I started a conversation, first with myself, questioning
and answering JAZZ, as a music developed out of restrictions and hope...a mix of influences from Africa, the Americas and Europe.
I want to bring out all of this feelingJAZZ!
I have the pleasure to collaborate with saxophonist and composer Layla Zami. We both grew up in Europe (Germany and France),
started with classical training in our fields, and switched to contemporary adventures in Fusion and Afro-futurism. We get
so much inspiration around the globe and just here in New York City.... to jump into a personal interpretation of feelingJAZZ.
Dance choreographed and interpreted by Oxana Chi
Music composed and interpreted by Layla Zami
Costume by Modou Diop
Tour History includes:
Pas de Deux Summer Salon @ The Theater Wild Project – New York 2019
Conférence Dansée @ Maison Rouge- Maison de Arts – Martinique 2019
Spring Movement Festival @ Center for Performance Research – New York 2019
Women Between Arts Series @ The New School, Glass Box Theater – New York 2019
Lesbopalooza: 25th Anniversary Celebration & Stonewall 50 @ Dixon Place – New York 2019
AIRspace GRANT for Performance Artists, Show & Share @ Abrons Art Center, Underground Theatre – New York 2018
BAAD!ASS Women Festival @ Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance – New York 2018
First Friday Series @ Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, Queens – New York 2018
Black Queer Night @ Theatre Dixonplace Manhattan – New York 2018
Festival NBNA @ Triskelionarts – New York 2018
