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Black Voices

In addition to the newly-compiled video clips in this playlist, the impressive history of Black artists at Jacob’s Pillow can be sampled in the extended video excerpts and documentation contained within John Perpener’s Dance of the African Diaspora essays as well as in three entirely different playlists: More Black Voices, Black History, and Black Artists in the Duke.

20 performances

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Black Voices

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Dallas Black Dance Theatre

Like Water, 2021

Jacob’s Pillow commissioned this work from choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie to herald the Pillow debut of Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

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Playing 1 of 20

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Archie Burnett

Life Encounters, 2021

This autobiographical work utilized voiceovers and a stellar supporting cast to tell the life story of dance legend Archie Burnett.

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Playing 2 of 20

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New England Soul Line Dance Network

Soul Line Dance Party, 2021

Partly presentational and part participatory, this event took place inside a large tent set up on the Pillow’s Great Lawn.

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Playing 3 of 20

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David Roussève/REALITY

Halfway to Dawn, 2019

The music and life of Billy Strayhorn was the impetus for this full-company work by David Roussève.

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Playing 4 of 20

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Nora Chipaumire

Dark Swan, 2007

The Zimbabwe-born Nora Chipaumire created her iconic solo, Dark Swan, as a counterpart to the classic Swan Lake and Dying Swan.

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Playing 5 of 20

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Robert Moses

Doscongio, 2006

Widely considered to be a signature work, Doscongio allows us to see Robert Moses displaying the qualities that made him a standout performer with ODC/San Francisco and Twyla Tharp.

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Playing 6 of 20

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Savion Glover, 2005

Though he’s seen here in a solo, a notable aspect of this 2005 engagement by Savion Glover was the program’s inclusion of two Glover mentors, Dianne Walker and Jimmy Slyde.

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Playing 7 of 20

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Battleworks Dance Company

Strange Humors, 2003

Now best known as the director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Robert Battle brought his first company, Battleworks, to the Pillow in 2003.

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Playing 8 of 20

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Garth Fagan Dance

Oatka Trail, 2002

When Garth Fagan wanted to make a film of his classic Oatka Trail, he came up with the idea of shooting it on the stage of the Ted Shawn Theatre with the back stage doors open to the great outdoors.

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Playing 9 of 20

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Rennie Harris Puremovement

Rome and Jewels, 2000

Much in the same way that West Side Story translated Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the musical theater stage, Rennie Harris started with the same source and used the language of hip hop to create Rome and Jewels.

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Playing 10 of 20

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Bill T. Jones

Three Dances, 2000

This early work by Bill T. Jones is a study in pure movement, offering a chance to see Jones as a still-dynamic performer in his late 40s,

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Playing 11 of 20

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Urban Bush Women

Self-Portrait, 1998

This solo by Urban Bush Women’s founder, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, presents an unusually candid look at the creative process.

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Playing 12 of 20

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Dianne McIntyre

Willow Song, 1998

A mentor to Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Dianne McIntyre premiered a new solo in the same season when Zollar presented her Self-Portrait, using the traditional spiritual “Kumbaya” as her inspiration.

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Playing 13 of 20

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Donald Byrd/The Group

"Jazz 1" from Jazz Train, 1998

Donald Byrd’s full-evening Jazz Train covers so much territory that it is represented here by two short excerpts, showing both a silent group section and a dynamic duet.

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Playing 14 of 20

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Ronald K. Brown

Awassa Astrige (Ostrich), 1997

In a nod to the landmark Pillow appearance of African dance pioneer Asadata Dafora in 1942, Ronald K. Brown revived one of Dafora’s trademark solos for a single special Gala appearance.

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Playing 15 of 20

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Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble

Barrelhouse Blues, 1996

This early duet by Katherine Dunham was presented during the first Pillow engagement of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble.

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Playing 16 of 20

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Ralph Lemon

Solo, 1991

There are multiple layers to be mined in this solo by Ralph Lemon, which utilizes an interview with pioneering tap dancer LaVaughn Robinson (1927-2008) as its sound score.

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Playing 17 of 20

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Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder, 1990

One of the enduring classics of African-American dance, Donald McKayle’s Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder finds artistry and poetry in the movement of an imaginary chain gang.

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Playing 18 of 20

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Urban Bush Women

Bitter Tongue, 1989

After having made their Pillow debut in 1988, Urban Bush Women returned the following season, again appearing under the auspices of a festival-within-a-festival known as Splash!

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Playing 19 of 20

Blondell Cummings

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, 1984

Seen here in her first Pillow performance, Blondell Cummings created her own unique style with roots in both sign language and photographic imagery.

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Playing 20 of 20

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