Continuing Contexts: Black Couples Dancing
is an in-person/virtual hybrid symposium offering:
· Connections to West African traditional dance and contemporary jazz music
· Solo jazz and rhythmic improvisation
· Organizers’ panel on shared resourcing and sustainability
· Performances and evening dance to live and DJed music
Saturday, December 7
10:00am-6:30pm: Embodied presentations and panels in the SLIPPAGE Lab, 1877 Campus Drive Room 226, Evanston
Special Guest Performance | Saturday 7:30PM | Mussetter-Struble Theatre, 1949 Camps Drive, Evanston
ALEXANDER/MCLEAN PROJECT
This performance is a celebratory space of the connections between live music and improvisational dance, and it is included in the symposium registration.
The Alexander/McLean Project is a collaboration between a group of like-minded musicians who are interested in working along the nexus of poetry, long form composition and jazz improvisation. This project is designed to expand upon each of the band members’ previous artistic efforts and incorporates a variety of stylistic approaches and strategies. Dee Alexander, the ensemble’s vocalist and co-leader and Westside native has been a prominent member of Chicago’s arts scene for the last four decades. Dee is widely known for her close association and longtime membership with Chicago’s legendary AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians). In addition, Ms. Alexander has recorded and toured extensively in both leadership and collaborative roles. Likewise, John McLean the co-leader of the ensemble has a long-standing relationship with Chicago’s creative music scene. Mr. McLean has participated in over sixty recordings as both sideman and a leader and has toured worldwide in a variety of creative music ensembles.
Dee Alexander, vocals
John McLean, guitar
Steve Million, keys
Jeremiah Hunt, bass
Charles Rick Heath, drums
Sunday, December 8
11:00am-2:00pm: Embodied presentations
Contact sdickson@northwestern.edu for more information; exact schedule posted in December.
