Support for this presentation is provided, in part, by:
Glorya Kaufman Dance Foundation
Center Dance Arts
Dorothy B. Chandler Program Fund
Elisabeth Katte Harris
Cindy Miscikowski/
Ring-Miscikowski Foundation/
The Ring Foundation
Tina and Jerry Moss/
Moss Foundation
The Music Center Foundation
Marie H. Song
The super villainz:
a tap dance act
for the modern age*
Just Swingin’ (ASYMS)
Choreography by Dormeshia
Improvography by Dormeshia, Jason Samuels
Smith, Derick K. Grant
Swing in The Band
Musical Direction: Igmar Thomas (Trumpet),
Ben Williams (Bass), Lyndon Rochelle (Drums),
Jamael Dean (Piano)
Dormeshia Swings
Joshua (Going The Miles)
Choreography by Jason Samuels Smith
Improvography by Jason Samuels Smith,
Dormeshia, Derick K. Grant
Music: “Joshua,” Album Seven Steps to Heaven
(1963) Written by: Victor Feldman, Miles Davis
D Grant Swings
Swinging Me Softly (ASYMS)
Choreography by Dormeshia, Jason Samuels
Smith & Derick K. Grant
Band Interlude
WOW
Choreography by Jason Samuels Smith
Improvography by Dormeshia, Derick K. Grant
& Jason Samuels Smith
Music: “Will O' The Wisp”
Album: Sketches of Spain (1960)
Written by: Manuel de Falla
J Sam Smith Swings
Easy Living (Going The Miles)
Choreography by Jason Samuels Smith
Performed by Jason Samuels Smith, Dormeshia,
Derick K. Grant
Music: “Easy Living,” Album Blue Moods (1955)
Composers: Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin
Hoofers Medley (ASYMS)
Original arrangement of classic tunes by
Allison Miller
Additional arrangements by Igmar Thomas
And Still You Must Swing
Choreography by Derick K. Grant
Improvography by Dormeshia, Jason Samuels
Smith, Derick K. Grant
* There is no intermission. Program subject to change.
Excerpts From Dormeshia’s
And Still You Must Swing (2016)
Choreography and Improvography by Dormeshia,
Jason Samuels Smith & Derick K. Grant
Lighting Design by Sue Samuels and Rich Saccoliti
Original Musical Arrangements by Allison Miller
and Dormeshia with additional Arrangements
by Igmar Thomas
Musical Direction by Igmar Thomas
Production/Company Manager:
Elka Samuels Smith
Management: Divine Rhythm Productions,
divinerhythmproductions.com
Dormeshia, Derick K. Grant and Jason Samuels
Smith are three of the world’s foremost
ambassadors of tap. They come together in
And Still You Must Swing, a show that captures
the heart and legacy of tap dance and honors the
influence of jazz roots on the development of this
original African American art form. Don’t miss
this rhythmic feast including live music, dynamic
choreography and stunning improvisation.
Swing /swiNG/ verb
2. move by grasping a support from below and
leaping. ‘We grasp for our ancestors in order to
rise...’
Originally premiered at Jacobs Pillow Dance
Festival on July 6, 2016. Made possible in part by
Harlem Stage, So Danca, and a generous artist
residency provided by Jete Dance Studio.
Jason Samuels Smith’s
Going The Miles (2016)
Choreography by Jason Samuels Smith
Improvography by Jason Samuels Smith,
Derick K. Grant & Dormeshia
Lighting Design by Sue Samuels,
Divine Rhythm Productions
Production/Company Manager:
Elka Samuels Smith, Divine Rhythm Productions
Going The Miles takes a step further than simply tributing Miles Davis, one of the world’s greatest American jazz artists who was at the forefront of many of its most important movements. Jason Samuels Smith in collaboration with Dormeshia, Derick K. Grant, Allison Miller and musicians engage on this musical odyssey, celebrating the diversity of contributions that our respective culture and collective consciousness continues to make through two of the world’s most thriving American art forms. With contributions from individuals who are each musicians in their own right, this new work emphasizes interplay inspired by three of Davis' iconic tunes, highlighting just why “improvisation” is still the highest expression of these forms.
will-o’-the-wisp \ wil-e-th -e‘wisp \
noun
a phosphorescent light seen hovering or floating at night over marshy ground, thought to result from the combustion of natural gases; ignis fatuus. a person or thing that is difficult or impossible to find, reach, or catch.
Going The Miles was commissioned by Harlem Stage and received support from a late-stage production stipend from The Mertz Gilmore Foundation. Going The Miles premiered at The Harlem Stage Gatehouse on April 8, 2016, as part of E Moves 17.
Dormeshia’s tap shoes provided by Capezio. Jason Samuels Smith’s tap shoes provided by Bloch. Derick K. Grant’s tap shoes provided by So Danca.
Artists’ Note: A special thank you to our sponsors, our teachers, family, supporters and to all of the major contributors to the art form of Tap Dance who came before us and helped make this possible.