For solo, vernacular, and authentic jazz dancers the world over, January means one thing: #Jazzuary
Organized each year by Katie Stotter through her account @solojazzmachine, #Jazzuary2021 (and 2019 & 2020) gives dancers a new prompt to ponder and play with as they please each day in January. It's a celebration of practice and imperfection, and a sometimes surprising source of intercontinental camaraderie. You won't find elaborate costumes or choreographies here - just dancers having some fun.
This is the second year I've participated in Jazzuary, and both times I've found myself motivated to keep going by phenomenal dancers I'd never met before. Here are three dancers I met for the first time this year that inspired me every day:
Alice Bourgasser (Montreal, Canada) - IG: @AliiceDancing
Alice is a multi-genre dancer who just blew me away with her style and creativity. One day in particular that stood out to me was "Less Moves, More Grooves" where she remained planted in one spot but seemed to catch every turn of the tune with a perfectly placed movement or isolation. I couldn't help but be reminded of Dawn Hampton's ability to knock out a crowd with a single twist of her hip or glance to the side. It also probably helped that Alice was dancing to one of my favorite grooves "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free" by Nina Simone. Alice only posted on her insta stories, so you'll have to follow her to catch all the future goodness. Luckily, she has a couple solo jazz videos on her feed (one featured below) and some more content on her and her partner Michel's Facebook page.
Jason Hsu (Taipei, Taiwan) - IG: @JasonXuu
Jason is the founder of Switch Taipei (@switchtaipei), a vibrant studio that works to redefine preconceptions about gender and role and create a safe space to get sassy and jazzy. Sounds awesome - I hope to visit one day!! Oh yeah, and he's an incredible solo jazz dancer (and follow) too! There's something about him just rockin' out in his colorful socks and giant scarf in his bedroom that is more than enough to make the hour-long-scroller smile. I loved his combined "High and Low" + "Focus on Your Arms" day, which features fun and silly shapes abound to an infectious rendition of "Mack the Knife" by the one and only Ella Fitzgerald. Jason shared his dances on IGTV so you can enjoy the whole thing!
Bailey McCully (Seattle, Washington, USA) - IG: @SnaileyBailey
"OKAAAY BAILEY!" is a phrase I found myself saying often this past month. Bailey is an instructor, performer, and choreographer who also runs her own lessons and challenges on her channel. (If you didn't get enough this Jazzuary, she's got you covered with several rounds of 30 Days of Solo Jazz.) Bailey has the camera-shaking energy I love, paired with playful musicality and a penchant for contrast. One of my favorite clips of hers is "Take Up Space" where she builds a slow groove until it boils, pulls it right off the fire, then makes it simmer once more. Her spins and shapes are the kind that pull you into the screen and make you imagine yourself right there dancing along. Bailey posted mostly minute-long clips on her feed - be sure to check out her channel, and her pay-what-you-can patreon!
This isn't all - I know that I have a couple more inspiring folks that I'll be sure share in "Dancers That Inspire Me - Vol. 2" So what did you think? Who else caught your eye during #Jazzuary2021?
Swingin' out,
-Nick
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