Friday, December 21, 2012

Overjoyed, Billy Davis Sings and Stands at Roulette

“Overjoyed” 
Music by Stevie Wonder 
Music Track Arrangement by Chris Rob for Jazz Ain’t Dead® 
Vocalist:  Billy Davis, Jazz Dance Artists:  Shakirah Stewart & Gierre Godley 
Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin

On Saturday, December 15, Jazz Ain’t Dead® guests at the “Art is Like Me” benefit concert produced by Clarke Clark at Roulette in Brooklyn.  Jazz Ain’t Dead performs a Latin version of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” inspired by the music stylings of Esperanza Spalding.  Although we would have love to have played it live as we have been doing all summer, our music arranger, Chris Rob, was awesome enough to play and record a great rendition for us to use for small guest spots such as this.

For this performance, our dance artists for Jazz Ain’t Dead are the beautiful and talented Shakirah Stewart and the handsome and extraordinary, Gierre Godley.  Our vocalist from Jazz Ain’t Dead is the fantastic and ever awe inspiring, Billy Davis.  Recently, this past summer, Billy survived a terrible motorcycle accident, so bad that the doctors had to amputate his leg.

In October we performed the same song for Mo Beasley’s UrbanErotika Dance Edition with Rajdulari Barnes and Billy performing in a duet.  We were very excited because it was the first performance Billy had since the accident.  At that time, Billy just received his new leg prosthesis and we were hoping he will be able to stroll across the stage with new blocking for him to be in the dance.  Well, that idea was a little too soon, for we found he had yet to master use of the new leg.  Thus alas, he had to perform the song sitting on a stool.  But miraculously with hard work and determination (and with the help of great physical therapy), this past weekend (nearly two months later), Billy strode out and was able to perform the song standing!  Woot Woot!  We’re so proud of you Billy!

Billy still has a long road ahead of him in physical therapy, paying off his expensive new prosthetic leg, and other medical concerns/surgeries due to the accident.  We are still raising money to help him with the bills to relieve him of this added stress upon this very unexpected major injury.   Will you please help?  Click here to help.  In the meantime, enjoy the video of this very lovely piece.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Beginning Jazz Dance Class Now offered by Candice of Jazz Ain’t Dead

Joffrey Black  

Master Teacher PhotoBeginning JAZZ Dance
 

with
Candice Michelle Franklin 
Choreographer of the live Jazz Music and Dance Production, Jazz Ain't Dead®


September – December 2012
Monday & Wednesday Nights

@ 6:30pm
  

"The intense exercises for abs alone is worth
the price of admission!"


Adult Jazz with Candice!
Led by the Artistic Director of the show, Jazz Ain’t Dead®, this high-energy class will start with a full traditional jazz warm-up focusing on isolations, pelvic work, tendus, extensive exercises for abs, hinges, leg and stretch work for maximized flexibility, and dance fitness to make you sweat, followed by a fun series of across the floor progressions including jazz walks, turns, leaps, groove steps, and combinations. Music consists of funky house beats, pop, jazz, Afro Cuban, and soul. Dance styles taught will include traditional jazz vocabulary, musical theater, neo-soul, Latin, lyrical, and contemporary jazz dance styles. Students are encouraged to leave their inhibitions at the door, let their hair loose, and explore their inner Diva/Divo.

Level is Beginning: This technique class is excellent for experienced dancers needing to re-train and shape-up for the season as well as adults who are just getting back into dance after a long "siesta." Dancers work at their own pace. Movement is modified for beginners, but challenging for all levels. ALL DANCERS WELCOME!

Only $17 per Class | $145 for Pro-rate 10-Class Card | $155 for Regular-Rate 10-Class Card


@Joffrey Ballet School
434 Avenue of the Americas, 5th Floor, West Village,
New York, NY 10011

www.JoffreyBalletSchool.com


www.JazzAintDead.com

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Bastille Day 2012

Bastille Day 2012
@Chez Oskar, July 14, 2012
 
Jazz Ain't Dead Dancers stand in for Phoenix Rising, one of the performance dance companies that our  Artistic Director is a member.  In honor of the Artistic Director of Phoenix Rising, Sasha Deveaux, who just got married in Italy, Candice Michelle Franklin choreographs a new Caribbean Can Can revue to be performed in Brooklyn at Chez Oskar for Bastille Day.  We would like to thank Charlotta, owner of Chez Oskar for having us.  We had a blast.  CHUTNEY!!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Friday, July 13, 2012

America West Story for CEG


Rehearsal Video for Chez-zam event group of “America” from West Side Story.  Adaptation from Jerome Robbins’ original choreography….. 

Restaged by Candice Michelle Franklin

Waiting for You Music Video

Here’s a music video by Chris Rob, my dope music arranger for my show Jazz Ain’t Dead.  This is a song from his latest independent album project.  The song is called “Waiting for You.” 
See if you can spot me…..

 

Monday, July 9, 2012

Highlights from June 28 Jazzmobile Concert

Jazz Ain't Dead® Performs a Free Concert
for the Community!

Presented by Jazzmobile




Vandyke CC Senior Dessert Luncheon Sponsored by Council Member Darlene Mealy
Jazz Ain't Dead®
Choreography and Direction by Candice Michelle Franklin
Musical Direction by Lafayette Harris, Jr.

Highlights from the show...
Oye Como Va, Fever, Zombie Blues (original composition by Lafayette Harris, Jr.,
JAD Music Director), Overjoyed, Footprints, Copper Colored Gal, Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby, Summertime, Calvin Booker's Tap Jam, My Funny Valentine, Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries,
Words from Council Member Mealy, Goodbye, Someone Else is Steppin In

Featuring:
Rajdulari Barnes (Lead Vocalist)
Rick Delancy (Song & Dance Vocalist)
Calvin Booker (Tap Dance Artist)

JAD Band:
Axel Tosca (Keys), Kenneth Salters (Drums), Paul Beaudry (Bass), Rogerst Charles (Alto Sax)

JAD Jazz Dance Artists:
Samantha Berger, Calvin Cooper, Victor Reddick, Ashley Chavonne McGill,
Shakirah Stewart, & Candice M. Franklin

Venue:  Vandyke CC Gymnasium, Brooklyn, NY
June 28, 2012

Thank you Council Member Mealy and Sabrina Eady and Linda Walton from
Jazzmobile for having us!  We had a blast.........

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Photos from Mo Beasley's UrbanErotika at Kumble

 

Mo Beasley's Urban Erotika 10th Anniversary Celebration at the Kumble Theater

March 10, 2012
Photography by Julie Atwell