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"Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk" Tap Dance Superstar Savion Glover to Perform at Winter Jazz

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"Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk" Tap Dance Superstar Savion Glover to Perform at Winter Jazz

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Tony Award-winning Savion Glover will be featured at Winter Jazz 2006 at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus and will be produced by Jill Newman Productions.

Performer, choreographer, director, and tap dancer, Mr. Glover received the 1996 Tony Award for his choreography in the Broadway smash hit Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk.  He also won the 1996 Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for choreography, two Obie Awards and two Fred Astaire Awards for his performance, as well as the 1996 Dance Magazine Choreographer of the Year Award.

A shining star of tap dancing, Mr. Glover brings tap to a new level by using various mediums to create his “music.”  For instance, in one number he wore only socks as he pounded out a beat on a small box covered in sand, demonstrating that tap does not always have to involve the shoes.  His movement is explosive, arms striking out at all angles or tucked into his body as he works his way through delicate rhythms.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, he entered New York’s Broadway Dance Center at age seven.  Mr. Glover made his Broadway debut at age 10 starring in The Tap Dance Kid.  His Broadway appearances also include Black and Blue and Jelly’s Last Jam, co-starring with Gregory Hines.  He was a series regular on Sesame Street for five seasons and was featured in Kenny G’s video Havanna and in Puff Daddy and the Family’s video for All About the Benjamins.  Mr. Glover was the executive producer and choreographer of the ABC special Savion Glover’s Nu York.  He also starred in the Showtime movie, The Wall, and choreographed the HBO movie, The Rat Pack. 

In 1997, Mr. Glover created the dance company, Not Your Ordinary Tappers (NYOTs), with which he performed nationally and internationally, and on the 1997 ABC opening to “Monday Night Football.”  He performed for then President Bill Clinton in Savion Glover’s Stomp, Slide and Swing: In Performance at the White House for PBS and in Savion Glover/Downtown: Live Communication at the Variety Arts Theater in New York City.

In 2000, he toured the nation with “Footnotes; the Concert” featuring tap legends Jimmy Slyde, Buster Brown and Diane Walker.  In 2001 he created a new dance company called Ti Dii.  He is the choreographer of the award-winning Nike spots: “Free Style.”  Mr. Glover is the star of Spike Lee’s feature film, Bamboozled.  He also is the recipient of the 2004 Capezio Award which was presented to him while performing at the Joyce Theater for a sold out series of his hit show Classical Savion in January 2005.

This Winter Jazz performance is made possible through the generosity of Mark E. Pasquerilla, chairman and CEO Crown American, and benefits the Blackington Endowment for the Performing Arts.  Winter Jazz was established by Mr. Pasquerilla to honor Dr. Frank H. Blackington III upon his retirement as president of UPJ.  Winter Jazz is a “must-attend” event for jazz aficionados; jazz fans travel from within 100+ mile radius to attend.

Winter Jazz has presented the crème of jazz artists.  Past performers include Dave Brubeck (2005); Wynton Marsalis (2004); Dianne Reeves (2003); Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Star Big Band (2002); Gary Burton, with Sergio Salvatore (2001); Terence Blanchard (2000); Shirley Horn Trio (1999); Paul Winter Consort (1998); Paquito D’Rivera (1997); Count Basie Orchestra with New York Voices (1996); Stanley Turrentine (1995), and Count Basie Orchestra (1993).

Tickets are $35 premium seats and $15 for students.  A paid reception to benefit the Blackington Endowment is held in conjunction with this event following the performance.  For advance ticket sales and more information on the annual Winter Jazz concert, contact the Arts Center at 1-800-846-ARTS.

The Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center is a multi-purpose facility operated by the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.  The Arts Center presents a variety of events including musicals, adult and children’s theatre, dance and music productions to 12,000 patrons annually.
Posted by Shook, Kimberly on 3/7/2006 4:00:00 PM


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