We’re diving back into Rhythmic Reflections! This week, we’re shining a spotlight on a standout show from our 1991 season: Jazzmanian Crossroads (1991) This production, choreographed by Vicki Adams Willis and the dancers, featured original music by Richard McDowell, Dewi Wood, and Andy Ericson, with lighting, scene, and prop design by Brian MacNeil and costumes by Paul LaVigne. The production showcased an incredible lineup of dancers, including: Kim Cooper, Christy ..read more

Kimberly Cooper was in New Orleans last May when she took in a show by jazz trumpeter and vocalist Marla Dixon. Of all the places on Earth, the Big Easy might be the hardest city for a performer to stand out when playing jazz. Cooper has been the artistic director since 2013 of Calgary’s Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, a company formed 40 years ago to keep the spirit of jazz alive and ..read more

Marla Dixon – Musical Director, Trumpet, Vocals Marla Dixon’s uncommon and exuberant spirit, which comes through in both her trumpet playing and spectacular singing, immediately dominates any context she appears in. When she leads, it’s always about groove and feeling. No matter who’s in the band it’s her spirit that prevails, and the results are always exciting. Originally from Ontario, Marla has toured North America and Europe with Shake ’Em ..read more

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD) turns 40 in 2025 and they’re kicking off a milestone birthday by throwing a celebration of movement at the High Performance Rodeo. All you need to know about their season-opening show Call and Response, opening Jan. 16, is that it features the Falling Bullets Jazz Band from New Orleans. That means a performance that the company described in a media release as a “toe-tapping, foot stomping, finger ..read more

We call and respond all the time. We are doing it right now. I’m calling to you with these words, and you are reading and responding. We use it in conversation: How are you? In anything democratic: All those in favour say yea! In sports: Let’s go sports team let’s go! In church: Can I get an Amen? Did you read those words and respond? Did you think: Fine Yea ..read more

Celebrate Decidedly Jazz Danceworks 40th Anniversary by participating in our 50/50 raffle! Funds raised through this raffle will support DJD, allowing us to continuing creating original performances and enrich lives by engaging people in exploring and promoting the art of jazz dance. Ticket prices are: 1 for $10 5 for $20, 25 for $50 and 100 for $100 Tickets go on sale January 6, 2025! BUY 50/50 TICKETS Raffle licence ..read more

Rhythmic Reflections takes a poignant turn this week as we look back at a moment that shaped DJD forever during the creation of No Small Feets (1992). In June 1992, DJD’s cast, and crew were nine days away from the opening of No Small Feets when the sudden loss of jazz and blues legend Clarence “Big” Miller rocked their world. As a mentor, a collaborator, and the subject of the ..read more

We’re diving back into Rhythmic Reflections! This week, we’re shining a spotlight on a standout show from our 1990 season: Time Pieces (1990)  This production featured an incredible lineup of dancers, including Tamara Koebel, Jeffrey Maisonet, Robert Meilleur, Michèle Moss (Co-Founder), Hannah Stilwell (Co-Founder), Christy Hayne, Kimberley Cooper, Jill Currie, Brian Hansen, and Sherrie Scherger. Choreography by: Nicole Mion, Michèle Moss, and Vicki Adams Willis During the 1990/1991 season, DJD ..read more

We are back with another Rhythmic Reflection! This week we are spotlighting two shows from the 1989/1990 season: Fast Forward (1989) Featuring Dancers: Rhonda Cooper, Tamara Koebel, Jeffrey Maisonet, Michèle Moss (Co-Founder), Hannah Stilwell (Co-Founder), Erin O’Connor, Christy Hayne, Danny James Austin, Kimberley Cooper, Sherrie Sherger, Sherri-Lynne Carr and Christine Bandelow Choreography by: Vicki Adams Willis, Denise Clarke and the Dancers  Summer Songs (1990) Featuring Dancers: Rhonda Cooper, Tamara Koebel ..read more

We are back with another Rhythmic Reflection! This week we are spotlighting two standout shows from 1988 and 1989: Fifth Anniversary (1988) Featuring Dancers: Marc Berezowski, Stephanie Butler, Rhonda Cooper, Tamara Koebel, Jeffrey Maisonet, Robert Meilleur, Michèle Moss (Co-Founder), Hannah Stilwell (Co-Founder), Erin O’Connor, Christine Bandelow, Kim Dunlop, Kim Klimek, Randy Ulevog, Donna Larson, Anne Flynn, Laurie Montemurro, Grant Burns, Pete Estabrooks and Fred Holliss Choreography by: Vicki Adams Willis ..read more