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Since 1954, Newport has welcomed tens of thousands of people to celebrate the rich culture and history of jazz music. Salve Regina University’s dance program aims to augment the incredible work of the Newport Jazz Festival by creating a festival dedicated to jazz dance in conversation with jazz music.
Curated by jazz dance artists and scholars from across the U.S. and Canada, and in collaboration with celebrated jazz musician Julius Rodriguez, this three-day festival aims to bridge the gap that is often perceived between jazz dance and jazz music.
Read Rhode Island’s own Dan McGowan (Boston Globe Rhode Map editor) interview with the creator, Lindsay Guarino, who runs the music, theatre and dance department at the Salve Regina University and is the author of “Rooted Jazz Dance: Africanist Aesthetics and Equity in the Twenty-First Century,”.i Guarino is one of the co-curators of the Bridging the Gap Festival, which aims to bridge the gap that is often perceived between jazz dance and jazz music.
Dan: It seems like you’ve created the perfect lead-in to the Newport Jazz Festival that begins on Friday. If you’re a jazz fan who happens to be in Newport early, tell us why the Bridging the Gap Festival is a must-visit.
Guarino: Yes! That’s very much the goal – to offer something different and unique but complement the incredible work of our friends at the Newport Jazz Festival. The next three days are meant to bridge the gap between jazz music and dance – two forms that share the same roots and origins but are rarely together in festival spaces. We’re bringing together jazz musicians and dancers from across the US and Canada in performances and educational events. And even if you’re not a jazz fan, this is still for you! Jazz is our shared American history. You can hear and see its influence across the landscape of American music and dance today.
Dan: Many of this week’s performances will be held at the Casino Theatre, which was the site of the first Newport Jazz Festival in 1954. What does it mean to you to be a part of Newport’s jazz history?
Guarino: I’m not originally from Rhode Island, so it feels serendipitous that I landed here as a jazz dance artist. Bringing jazz music and dance into conversation, in Newport and in the summer when it’s already a mecca for jazz, has been a dream of mine for as long as I’ve been here. Directing the dance program at Salve Regina University has given me the opportunity to build in the spirit of jazz and Bridging the Gap furthers the reach and scope of the work. We’ll be celebrating the past, present, and future of jazz at all our festival events, with a special toast during the post-performance reception overlooking the Casino grounds after Jazz Dance at the Casino Theatre tonight.
Dan: One of the purposes of the Bridging the Gap Festival is to attempt to repair a historic fracture between jazz dance and jazz music, which is something you’ve published a book about. Why is it important for the average jazz fan to understand this fracture?
Guarino: Most people think of jazz hands and high kicks when they think of jazz dance, which is both inaccurate and racially problematic. Jazz music and dance were born at the same time, from the same influences, and in Black American culture. The mainstream version of jazz dance that many think of was appropriated from true jazz dance and commodified for Hollywood and Broadway. But there are jazz dancers who have kept and continue to keep the spirit of jazz alive, working in a rooted way that centers jazz music. In our experience, we find that jazz musicians recognize we are speaking the same language.
Dan: Give us a sneak peek at what to expect for the next few days. Which sessions are you most looking forward to?
Guarino: All of it! Our collaboration with musician Julius Rodriguez inspired the programming. We’re premiering new works to his music tonight at the Casino Theatre and he’ll be playing live at the Jazz Lounge tomorrow. Drummer Marcus Grant is another collaborator and will be leading the Jazz Lounge and joining us, and Julius, for an artist panel on Thursday at noon. “Us” refers to myself and festival co-curators Brandi Coleman (Dallas), Kimberley Cooper (Calgary, AB), and Carlos R. A. Jones (Buffalo) – some of the most knowledgeable and innovative jazz artists around today. Dancers from Decidedly Jazz Danceworks are performing throughout the festival and leading classes open to the public. Every day will be full of energy and joy – there’s something for everyone!
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