All that Jazz

Savage Jazz Dance Company brings its unique style of dance to the Satellite Student Union

By Courtney Roque

If jazz legend Miles Davis had decided to dabble in dance, he would have been the poster child for Savage Jazz Dance Co.

Founded in 1992 by Artistic Director Reginald Ray-Savage, it is one of the few all-jazz concert dance companies in the United States and the only group of its kind in Northern California. Performing to music by such jazz giants as Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus and Miles Davis, the company is a convergence of artistic forces, where the energy, improvisation and syncopation of jazz music are expressed through dance.

Utilizing techniques from ballet, contemporary dance and jazz dance, the dancers’ movements mirror the elements that meld together in jazz—from improvisational creation to cultural influences to traditional technique.

Savage Jazz Dance Co. and Ray-Savage have been awarded numerous grants and awards for its original and innovative blending of dance and jazz music, including a three-year Meet the Composer residency to work with famed acoustic-bassist and composer Marcus Shelby. In 1998, the company began to perform using live jazz accompaniment, allowing the highly-trained dancers to stay true to the spontaneous nature of jazz.

Although the Bay Area-based company performs two regular home seasons in Oakland and San Francisco, it will make a rare appearance at Fresno State’s Satellite Student Union.

Kristie Godfrey, program adviser of USU Productions, said it will be a unique opportunity for Fresno State students to see a world-class performance at an inexpensive cost. “We wanted to bring a performance art group that students would not normally be able to drive to San Francisco to see,” Godfrey said. “There is so much ethnic diversity in Fresno, and we want the cultural events offered here to be just as diverse.”

Godfrey said she wants to challenge students to take advantage of the opportunity to expose themselves to a kind of entertainment different from what they’re used to, but one that won’t break their wallet.

“They have the chance to see a professional-caliber show that would normally cost anywhere between $50 and $80 for a fraction of that cost,” she said.

This is the first show of its kind to be brought to Fresno State.

“ Savage Jazz will be an exciting variation from the different things we’ve had this semester,” said Angela Carr, co-coordinator of CenterStage, the USU Productions program presenting the performance.

“ Fresno State has the potential to become a real cultural Mecca through events like these. All the students have to do is show their support so we can continue to bring groups like Savage Jazz to the campus,” Carr said.

Tickets are on sale now at the Information Center in the University Student Union for Savage Jazz Dance Co.’s performance on Sunday, Feb. 22. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $7 for Fresno State students, $10 for alumni, faculty and staff and $12 for general admission. Tickets bought at the door will be $10 for students, $15 for alumni, faculty and staff, and $15 for general admission. For more information, call 278-2078.