Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago Adds New Work by Choreographer Tony Powell
Tony Powell, rising young choreographer from Washington D.C., has set a new work entitled "Rapture" on Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Powell's past works have blended contemporary classical music with ballet or modern dance; in contrast, "Rapture" is his first jazz dance work.
"Rapture" is true to the meaning of its title, "an emotional or spiritual ecstasy." Powell describes his choreography as "very athletic, vigorous, musical, and wildly aerobic." "Rapture" sets this fast-paced movement to music of minimalist composer Steve Reich.
GGJDC will perform the World Premiere of "Rapture" during its Chicago Performances this fall, October 26-28, at the Athenaeum Theatre
"Rapture" joins GGJDC's extremely diverse repertoire, which includes works by eighteen choreographers, including Randy Duncan, Mia Michaels, Margo Sappington, and Billy Siegenfeld, as well as Founder/Director Gus Giordano and Artistic Director Nan Giordano. For further information, visit www.giordanojazzdance.com or call 847.866.6779.
Dubbed "a 21st Century Renaissance Man" by the Washington Post, 32-year old Powell is a choreographer, composer, dancer, painter, photographer, filmmaker, and writer. He is a 1995 graduate of Juilliard and Artistic Director of his own company Tony Powell! Music & Movement.
Powell recently choreographed a ballet, set to his original music composition, for the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Three of his musical scores are in the Parsons Dance Company repertoire. For his own company, he has created 57 works.
Recipient of the 2001 Individual Artist grant in Choreography from the Maryland State Arts Council, Powell's latest work "String Quartet #3" was nominated for Original Sound at the First Annual Metro DC Dance Awards.
Powell is on the faculty at the Maryland Youth Ballet and the Harrisburg Dance Academy, and the summer faculty of The Washington Ballet.