Behind the Scenes Dressing Room Photo on set of Music Video with Violette

On set of a music video with French pop singer, Violette… Jerome and Candice partnering again….
Jazz Ain’t Dead!

Twitter Shout Out from New Orleans

Was in New Orleans at NOCCA teaching Joffrey's scholarship audition yesterday. Got this sweet tweet shout out... 

@dunne_macy Jazz audition today with @candicegetsdown kicked my butt! Already hurting but what an awesome class it was!

Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Audition Tour 2014 Schedule for Candice

Hey, My Students!

Joffrey is starting up again and entry/scholarship auditions are on their way.  Below is my Master Class schedule for 2014.  Can’t wait to see you all again this summer in New York City for Joffrey’s Summer Jazz & Contemporary Intensive!

See dates below……

 

Date	Place	City	Event	Class
Saturday, January 12, 2014	NOCCA	New Orleans, LA	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Thursday, January 16, 2014	Dallas Black Dance Theatre	Dallas, TX	IABD –International Blacks in Dance Conference	Advanced Jazz 11:45am &  Latin Jazz @3pm
Saturday, January 18, 2014	Boston Ballet School	Boston, MA	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Saturday, January 25, 2014	East Coast Ballet	Jacksonville, FL	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Saturday, February 1, 2014	Music Hall Center for Performing Arts	Detroit, MI	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Sunday, February 2, 2014	Marriott Center for Dance	Salt Lake City, UT	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Sunday, February 9, 2014	Pacific Northwest Ballet School	Seattle, WA	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Saturday, February 15, 2014	Maria Verdeja School of the Arts	Coral Gables, FL	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Sunday, February 16, 2014	Ballet School of Stamford	Stamford, CT	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Friday, February 21, 14	Freddy Jet Art House and Dance Conservatory, Oxford, AL	Oxford, AL	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz  Closed Master Class
Saturday, February 22, 14	Freddy Jet Art House and Dance Conservatory, Oxford, AL	Oxford, AL	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Saturday March 8,14	School of Alberta Ballet	Calgary Alberta, CA	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz
Sunday, March 9, 14	Central Wisconsin School of Ballet	Wausau, WI	Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Summer/Scholarship Auditions	Jazz

Photos of the Day: Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Revue

 

Fun photos from New Years Eve with Chez-zam Event Group!
Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Revue
Choreographed by Candice Michelle Franklin
12/31/2013

Video: Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Revue

How did I spend my New Year’s Eve?  The “Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Revue” that’s how!  I had fun with this one.  We had to travel to  beautiful, Christmas card-picturesque Cooperstown in upstate New York where the snow was fluffy and gorgeous.  Ps…  I’m the Mad Hatter with the big green hair.  Enjoy! 

“Alice in Wonderland” Tea Party Revue
Choreography Created by Candice Michelle Franklin for CEG

CEG Indian Holiday Bash

CEG did a huge all Indian Bash for the holidays.  The night went fast and we did quite a few numbers including a Madonna Revue, a Latin Revue, and an Indian Bollywood Hip Hop Revue.  I put up the MJ Tribute which included Smooth Criminal, Billie Jean, Beat It, and of course, my favorite, Thriller.  Here’s a photo sent to me of me and Laura from CEG and my new Indian friend (in the back) who staged the Indian number.  Enjoy!

 

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Ketel One Vodka Commercial

Hey, My Peeps!

With an eagle eye, you might find me in these two "Commitment" campaign videos for Ketel One Vodka!

They highlighted real musicians too.  In fact, the main character in this campaign is a drummer for the New York rock band, "Deadbeat Darling."  I casted and choreographed movement for their cool, art noir black and white shot music video called "Surf India," and we just happened to be casted in the same commercial.  My soprano saxophone player from Jazz Ain't Dead was in this commercial too!!!  ....Small world.

 

Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary Audition Team 2014

 

Here’s the photo of the annual cocktail party/meeting we had at our director’s Michael Blake’s house.  This is the 2014 Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary Audition Team. 

Look for one of us in a city near you! 

Angelica Lynn Stiskin, Joi Lynn, Ronnie D. Carney, Candice Michelle Franklin, Earl Mosley, Yusha Sorzano,
(Not Pictured/Michael Blake, Director)

That’s my AJ!

To my wonderful AJ….  Singer, Dancer, Actor and Fantastic entertainer. 
May you rest in peace…

I LOVE YOU!

Candice

Hip Hop Audition–Casting by Pro DANZ Group

24 CITY U.S. NATIONAL TOUR
MALE & FEMALE
Hip Hop/Street Jazz Dancers Needed
For New Recording Artist who is opening act for rapper, “Nelly.”

AUDITION
Saturday, June 15
Sign-In at 10AM For Both Male & Females with Call Backs at 1pm
Nola Studios, 244 West 54 Street, 11^th Floor
New York City

Paid Rehearsals. Paid Performances plus Per Diem.
All Travel Expenses Paid.

New female R&B recording artist with Rosa International LLC seeks sexy/hot, trained male and female hip hop/street jazz dancers to be in her opening act set on a 24-city tour headlined by rap artist, Nelly, beginning July 18 through September 14.  All travel and hotel accommodations are paid plus daily per diem on tour.  Male dancers must be at least 5'81/2" or taller.  Women should be at least 5'3 1/2" or taller. Audition will be held Saturday, June 15, at Nola Dance Studios, 244 West 54 Street, 11th floor, with sign-up beginning at 10am.  Call backs at 1pm.  A choreographed combination will be taught and you will be asked to free-style.  B-boy skills and acro is a plus.   Be prepared to stay til 3pm for call backs, if asked to learn more.   Rehearsals begin immediately in New York City following audition.  Expect to rehearse Monday through Friday 6pm - 10pm and Saturday afternoons 10am-3pm til tour opens July 18.  Only those who can commit to this tour and tight rehearsal schedule need apply.  Please bring pictures and resumes stapled together.  Dancers can submit photos and resumes for invited call to prodanzgroup@gmail.com.  Artist is looking to hire a mix of nationalities.  Ethnic types strongly encouraged to attend.  Paid rehearsals by the hour.  Paid performances.

New Photos from Legendary Pianist, Onaje Allan Gumbs’ New Vintage Show at BAM Cafe

Onaje Allan Gumbs
Presents
New Vintage

Featuring Jazz Ain’t Dead® Dance Artists
Jerome Melsaun Warren & Candice Michelle Franklin
performing “Overjoyed.”

Photography by Keith Rogers

JAD Band Guests at New York Jazz Choreography Project

Jazz Ain’t Dead® principal dance artists Jerome Melaun Warren and Candice Michelle Franklin perform together again as guests for the New York Jazz Choreography Project which runs April 27 – 28 at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center in midtown. 

For the first night, dance artists Jerome Melsaun Warren and the young and beautiful, Maria Rodriguez (plucked from Miss Franklin’s advanced trainee Jazz dance classes at the renowned Joffrey Ballet School) will be performing a duet accompanied by Jazz Ain’t Dead vocalist, Rajdulari Barnes.  On the second day of the show run, Jazz Ain’t Dead® choreographer, Candice Michelle Franklin, will join Warren, her long standing partner (about ten years we think if you don’t count when Franklin was Warren’s teacher), in performing the same duet with Jazz Ain’t Dead’s live band.  Principal music arranger for Jazz Ain’t Dead®, Chris Rob, will be accompanying the dancing pair with his new samba arrangement of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” both singing and playing the piano in a vocal duet of the famous song with JAD’s Rajdulari Barnes.  Also sitting in is Wallace Roney’s fabulous bass player, Rashaan Carter, and the great salsero, Geraldo Flores.  We welcome these great musicians to the Jazz Ain’t Dead family!

Tickets:
Available at the MMAC box office or purchase online.
$21 ($18 children 12 and under)

---

Jazz Choreography Enterprises presents The New York Jazz Choreography Project

The New York Jazz Choreography Project is a celebration of jazz dance featuring originals works by emerging and established choreographers. Audiences of all ages will be treated to dances in a variety of jazz styles—from swing to contemporary—and the chance to see jazz dance as the rich art form it is, with its glorious variety of styles and cultural influences. Following the performance on Sunday, April 28th, the audience is invited to stay for a talk back with the choreographers.

Dates:
Saturday, April 27th, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 28th, at 3 p.m. – A talk back with the choreographers follows this performance.

Place:

manhattan movement & arts center
248 W. 60th Street
New York, New York 10023
212-787-1178
www.manhattanmovement.com

Tickets:
Available at the MMAC box office or purchase online.
$21 ($18 children 12 and under)

The performances will be approximately 70 minutes long with no intermission. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management. The box office will close 30 minutes after the performance starts. No refunds or exchanges.

Jazz Ain’t Dead Photo of the Day

Jazz Ain’t Dead dancers Jerome Melsaun Warren and Candice Michelle Franklin guests at Onaje Allan Gumbs II New Vintage performance at BAM, April 6, 2013.  Enjoy!

A Great Night at BAM Café with Onaje Allan Gumbs

Jazz Ain’t Dead principle dancers, Candice Michelle Franklin and Jerome Melsaun Warren, performed a fantastic duet at BAM Café last Saturday night, April 6 for Onaje Allan Gumbs Presents New Vintage.  It was a star-studded evening filled with fabulous musicians well-heeled in the Jazz scene as well as a wonderful array of singers and poets featured on the program.  The venue was crazy packed, over capacity.  People could not get in unless someone left; it was just that crowded.

Accompanying Candice and Jerome was the talented vocal artist Angela Johnson singing lead vocals and Gregoire Maret on harmonica as well as Gary Fritz on congas, Enoch Jamal Strickland on drums, Roger Byam on sax, and Gregory M. Jones on bass.  Other talented artists performing throughout the evening included Jean Caze, Mem Nahadr (Vocalist and Friend of JAD), Abiodun Oyewole, Toni Blackman, Alano, LuQuan Graham, Darien Dean, Jordan Young, Autumn Ashante, and Tai Allen.

Jazz Ain’t Dead Guests with Onaje Allan Gumbs II

Jazz Ain’t Dead principle dancers Candice Michelle Franklin and Jerome Melsaun Warren will perform, Saturday, April 6 with Onaje Allan Gumbs and New Vintage at BAM Café, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.  There a ton of brilliant musicians sitting-in and exciting guests also on the program.  Please come and check it out!

 
For more information directly from BAM, click here for a direct link.
Photography by Julie Atwell

Candice Spotted in Two Commercials!

Jazz Ain’t Dead’s very own choreographer and dancer, Candice Michelle Franklin, has been spotted in two commercials for Westchester Broadway Theatre’s production of “In The Heights!”  Candice lent her dancing skills to help promote the show which opens February 7 through March 17, 2013.  See if you can spot how many times you see her in the promo!

And here’s version number two of the promo for this exciting show of music and dance.

Tickets are only $59 and you get free parking and a three course dinner!  For more information or buy tickets for this production, visit the special Westchester Broadway Theatre website at http://www.intheheightswestchester.com/.

Nature Boy Rehearsals

Nature Boy Male Solo Day 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LSIZdyrYe0

Nature Boy Male Solo Day 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFugwxVGVT8

Nature Boy First Partnering section
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxeUisnDvG4

EPK Link List

EPK

EPK–Candice Michelle Franklin, Choreographer

EPK
Music Videos
Black Taxi – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F
Deadbeat Darling – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws9bXqYK1ig
BRASCO – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F

Back-up Dancers/Street Jazz
Natiah – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNu_j7nev5c

Jazz Ain’t Dead
JAD Lounge Montage – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F
Summertime House – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F
My Man’s Gone now – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F
Billie Jean – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MepB5MVCxJc
My Funny Valentine – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F

CEG -Entertainment Company
Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Revue - http://youtu.be/yusuJib38S8?list=UUTu4HId5qHLD3BjyXaQevaw
Michael Jackson Tribute - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZg9-tELOyc
Bad Romance – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwDV5JmitCk&list=UUOhZTHsyFpml6-T7D8amLGw
Kooza – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=857CYwrYmeE&feature=share&list=UUOhZTHsyFpml6-T7D8amLGw

Bollywood
Whatever Lola Wants – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F
Kama Sutra – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-bpFsae62g
Do the Thing Thing – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhEAkzDywR0

Modern/Jazz Concert Dance
Save Me – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F
Dangerously in Love – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F
Cain & Abel – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61BS5V8A7bA

Student Performance
Souls of NOLA – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F

Students In Class Combos
Golden – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSk0_UG2zyk

In Rehearsal for Jazz Ain’t Dead
Fever – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaYWBtkVhKg
Overjoyed – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F
Alicia Keys – http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F

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.

Touch Senorita Udi Rehearsal for CEG

Touch Senorita Udi 
Rehearsal video 
Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin for CEG.

Jai Ho Rehearsal Footage CEG

Jai Ho 

Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin for CEG

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

  

Beginning 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

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!!!