Spring Break
Donald McKayle celebrates the depth of music with Kansas City
Jheel Mehta
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Culture
NE: How did William Whitener approach you about the project? What were your thoughts about the project?
Donald McKayle [Choreographer]: During the After Party of "Games" that we staged for the Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company last year at UMKC, Bill came up to me and said, "Why don't you do a ballet for us? We would love for you to do something for us." … It was very straightforward … and I said, emphatically, "Yes," … and that is how it began. … Bill then introduced me to Chuck Haddock of KCUR's local Jazz music show, the Fish Fry … and Chuck helped me to select 55 pieces of music that were representative of Kansas City Jazz music. … He made recordings for me to take back to New York City. … From those 55 pieces, I narrowed it down to seven pieces … all instrumentals, covering a variety of periods and styles … including Euday Bowman's "12th Street Rag," Charlie Parker's "Max Making Wax," and Count Basie's "Jumping at the Woodside." … They have been wonderful dancers. … We have been working five hours a day for the last three weeks. … They have really learned how to push the beat … pull the beat … work the beat.
NE: What are your favorite pieces that you have choreographed?
DM: Whatever I am working on currently becomes my favorite piece. Since I am working currently on three pieces, including the Kansas City Ballet piece … it is one of my current favorite pieces.
nenglish@unews.com
Donald McKayle [Choreographer]: During the After Party of "Games" that we staged for the Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company last year at UMKC, Bill came up to me and said, "Why don't you do a ballet for us? We would love for you to do something for us." … It was very straightforward … and I said, emphatically, "Yes," … and that is how it began. … Bill then introduced me to Chuck Haddock of KCUR's local Jazz music show, the Fish Fry … and Chuck helped me to select 55 pieces of music that were representative of Kansas City Jazz music. … He made recordings for me to take back to New York City. … From those 55 pieces, I narrowed it down to seven pieces … all instrumentals, covering a variety of periods and styles … including Euday Bowman's "12th Street Rag," Charlie Parker's "Max Making Wax," and Count Basie's "Jumping at the Woodside." … They have been wonderful dancers. … We have been working five hours a day for the last three weeks. … They have really learned how to push the beat … pull the beat … work the beat.
NE: What are your favorite pieces that you have choreographed?
DM: Whatever I am working on currently becomes my favorite piece. Since I am working currently on three pieces, including the Kansas City Ballet piece … it is one of my current favorite pieces.
nenglish@unews.com
Be the first to comment on this story