Described by company founder Jawole Willa Jo Zollar as a “ritual remembrance of my family’s journey from the South during the Great Migration,” SCAT! was conceived, written, directed, and co-choreographed by Zollar. Since1984, Urban Bush Women has brought under-told stories to life by weaving contemporary dance, music, and text with the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of the African Diaspora. The company first performed at Jacob’s Pillow as part of its Splash Festival in 1988 and has returned many times since, presenting its works on all three stages, participating in residency activities throughout the area, and premiering works commissioned by the Pillow (including HairStories and Praise House). Mentored early in her career by Dianne McIntyre, Zollar is a longtime professor at Florida State University and is the recipient of many awards and honors. Among the other works she has presented at the Pillow are Self-Portrait and the full-evening Walking With ‘Trane.
EXPLORE TWO MULTI-MEDIA ESSAYS ON JAWOLE WILLA JO ZOLLAR:
Career Overview by John Perpener
HairStories by Maura Keefe
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