Jazz Conversations: A thrilling evening of Jazz Dance Theatre

Body of People Jazz Theatre Company (aka BOP), founded in 1996 by Award-winning artist and choreographer Dollie Henry MBE and jazz composer Paul Jenkins, is the UK’s premier Jazz Theatre Company, brings an exciting, original and innovative evening of jazz theatre to The Place this Autumn with a double bill: Footprints in Jazz and Touches of Miles.

Featuring new musical jazz scores, a live jazz ensemble and a company of highly talented jazz theatre dancers, BOP continues to break boundaries as the catalysts for UK Jazz Arts. BOP convey the spirit and vitality that lies at the very heart of the jazz idiom, providing a visible platform to share original jazz dance theatre.

Dollie Henry said: “We are a unique British jazz theatre company and nothing else exists like this in this country. We are stepping up to the platform and saying we do exist, jazz is here in this country alive and kicking - and BOP is doing it! With these two shows at The Place we are sharing with people what jazz theatre is. We are stripping away the commerciality seen in Musical Theatre and bring it back to its roots.”

FOOTPRINTS IN JAZZ
A suite of contemporary jazz dance theatre works that captures the individual and collective expression of BOP. Every step and every story will take you on a theatrical journey, that represents the richness and depth of Paul Jenkins’ original jazz compositions and Dollie Henry’s enthralling choreography performed by the dancers of BOP company.

TOUCHES OF MILES
A work that pays homage to the life and music of jazz trumpeter & composer Miles Davis. The production brings to the stage a riveting live jazz ensemble who bring to life Miles’ classic compositions including, All Blues, So What., Tutu, Milestones and many more. The music lays the canvas for a captivating narrative of jazz dance theatre, that colourfully weaves through each musical variation, capturing the cool enigmatic character reminiscent of a true jazz music legend. This production was the inaugural work of BOP Company, first premiered in 1996 at The South Bank as part of ‘Nubian Steps’. It has transformed and developed over the years to become one of the most favoured and
exciting BOP productions bringing together live jazz music and dance theatre.

Devised, Directed and Choreographed by Dollie Henry Musical Director, Arranger and additional composition by Paul Jenkins

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/496373068