Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is on a coast-to-coast North American Tour that will culminate May 11-13 at NJPAC with three special programs.
Artistic Director Robert Battle came into the WBGO studios to talk about the three-day program.
Performances include the opening Ailey Jazz program presenting the NJPAC debut of Ailey star Jamar Roberts’ Members Don’t Get Weary - his first world premiere for the Company, which he joined in 2002.
Set to the powerful music of the legendary jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane 50 years after his death, Roberts' work aims to allow the audience to momentarily transcend their own personal blues.
Also featured on this program are Robert Battle's gripping solo In/Side, set to the vivid emotions of Nina Simone's Wild is the Wind, and Night Creature, a bubbly champagne cocktail of a dance fusing Alvin Ailey's buoyant choreography and Duke Ellington's sparkling music.
Other works being performed during this 20th annual visit to NJPAC, feature the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Earth Wind and Fire.
Here's the rundown for you:
Friday, May 11 at 8pm Ailey Jazz Alvin Ailey's Night Creature Robert Battle's In/Side Jamar Roberts' Members Don't Get Weary (NJPAC premiere) Alvin Ailey's Revelations
Saturday, May 12 at 8pm Musical Inspirations Talley Beatty's Stack-Up (NJPAC premiere) Robert Battle's Mass Robert Battle's Ella Alvin Ailey's Revelations
Sunday, May 13 at 3pm Celebrate Women Hope Boykin's r-Evolution, Dream. Jawole Willa Jo Zollar's Shelter (NJPAC premiere) Alvin Ailey's Cry Alvin Ailey's Revelations
Click above to hear the entire interview with Robert Battle.
