The Savage Jazz Dance performances at the Cowell Theater in
December feature two world premieres with very personalized
statements by group founder Reginald Ray-Savage. The first
is “Survivor” by Max Roach with a prelude by Prince.
The second is the tribal, life-affirming “Ritus,”
with music by Abdullah Ibrahim.
“Buhaina Chant,” described as a “primitive,
primal, ritualistic” performance to the music of Art
Blakey, and “The Flowing Stream,” which reveals
a personal journey and a search for love through the music
of the Beijing Trio, are also part of the evening delights.
The 12-year-old dance company the San Francisco Chronicle
called “hot, elegant, and surprising” holds a special
opening night benefit performance on December 10, with food,
wine, and a silent auction. On this night only, the evening
will include “The Ellington Suite,” Duke Ellington’s
interpretation of nine dances from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker
Suite.
