September 22, 2004
Purdue Black Cultural Center's Jahari Dance Troupe has new choreographer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Chicago choreographer Kevin Jeff has been named artist-in-residence and choreographer of the Jahari Dance Troupe at Purdue University's Black Cultural Center.
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Jeff has an extensive background as dancer and choreographer with a wide array of performing companies on and off Broadway.
"The Jahari Dance Troupe will certainly flourish under the direction of Kevin Jeff," said Renee Thomas, Black Cultural Center director. "He is an accomplished choreographer whose work is familiar to audiences worldwide. Under his leadership, Jahari will successfully represent the Black Cultural Center's mission and deliver outstanding performances. We are fortunate to have him."
Productions to Jeff's credit include "The Wiz," "Porgy and Bess" and "Deeply Rooted," featuring Roberta Flack. He has worked with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Ensemble in Berkeley, Calif.; the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble in Denver, Colo.; Williams/Henry Danse Theater in Kansas City, Kan.; and Dallas Black Dance Theater, among others.
He is founder and artistic director of the Chicago-based Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre and artist-in-residence for Howard University's dance major program. He is the former artistic director for the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater and founded JUBILATION! Dance Company, also in Chicago.
His film and television choreography credits include Spike Lee's "She's Gotta Have It" and "Beauty and the Beast."
Awards and fellowships include Best Choreography, 1996 Black Theater Alliance; National Endowment for the Arts fellowships; and National Council for Culture and Arts and International Conference of Blacks in Dance merit awards.
He is counted among the Julliard School's 100 Outstanding Alumni, who were selected in commemoration of the school's upcoming centennial in 2005.
The Black Cultural Center's artist-in-residence program was instituted through the co-sponsorship of Purdue Convocations and Lectures. The Jahari Dance Troupe was established in 1971.
The troupe, named for the Swahili word meaning jewels, is a student company trained in a variety of techniques that range from traditional to contemporary trends in black dance. Jahari's repertoire includes African, ballet, Caribbean, folk, jazz, modern dance and music video.
The Jahari Dance Troupe has performed at university campuses, secondary schools and community centers throughout the Midwest. The dancers have been involved in cultural exchange programs with similar dance companies in the region. The troupe has been a guest performer for civic programs in Gary, Kokomo and Indianapolis; Danville, Ill.; and the Greater Lafayette area.
Jahari's credits include performances with African dancer Kwame Botwey and ethnomusicologist W. Komla Amoaku in "Roots Africana" and the premiere of choreographer Joseph Holmes' "Jonestown." The troupe also takes part each December in the Black Cultural Center's Cultural Arts Festival. Jahari performs throughout the school year, primarily during the months of October, November, January, February and March. The troupe's home season takes place during the month of April.
The Jahari Dance Troupe is sponsored by the Black Cultural Center and is available to schools, churches and civic organizations for concert appearances. A performance fee is required to cover expenses. Arrangements should be made at least three months in advance through the Black Cultural Center, (765) 494-3091.
CONTACT: Thomas, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu
Writer: Reni Winter, (765) 496-3133, rwinter@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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