https://vimeo.com/519283804

1997 – Seeing Jazz Move – Dance and Music Improvisation performance inspired by the exhibition “Seeing Jazz”  presented by the Smithsonian International Gallery – S. Dillon Ripley Center, Washington, DC, December 5, 1997 at 6:30 pm.  FREE

Dance and the event,  Maida Withers, Curator
Music, James Levy, Curator

Dancers and musicians from DC, New York, the Netherlands, and China improvised in 7 galleries in a performance curated by Maida Withers for the DC 3rd International Improvisation Plus+ festival.  Jim Levy directed the jazz music ensemble with diverse jazz musicians performed live in the galleries.

Artists/Guests:  Maida Withers, Joseph Mills, DC;  Wen Hui (China), Gloria McLean (NYC), Cyrus Khambatta (Seattle), Reginald Crump (DC/NYC),  Sarah Slifer (Boston), Daniel Burkholder, Sharon Mansur (DC);  Rob Kitsos (Seattle)Katie Duck Vincent Cacialano  (The Netherlands)

Jazz musicians:  James Levy, keyboard, Sharon Clark, vocals; Pepe Gonzalez, bass; ? , Drums;  Willfredo Cruz, Congas,  Ricky Loza, Drums.  Jim Levy, Music Curator.  Michael Vatcher, musician/composer (The Netherlands).

The exhibition was organized by Smithsonian Institution traveling Exhibition Service…A presentation of America’s Jazz Heritage, a partnership of the Lila-Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund and the Smithsonian Institution. Exhibition included: Romare Bearden, In E Sharp, 1981, Oil and Collage on paper.  Courtesy Estate of Romare beaden Rombare Bearden Foundation, Inc.  Seeing Jazz: artists and Writers on Jazz is published by Chronicle Books and is available in bookstores everywhere (c) 1997 Smithsonian Institution.  Poster Design by Kessler Design Group, Ltd.

The performance was billed with the DC 3rd International Improvisation Plus+ Festival, 1997.

What the press is saying

"The "Seeing JAZZ" exhibition presents a panorama of artistic responses to jazz music through a collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, collages and photographs. Musicians and dancers will collaborate in the art of improvisation for "Seeing JAZZ Move." Michelle Higgins