Afro Latin Jazz and Soul Experience with Sekou McMiller and Friends
Sekou’s "Afro Latin Jazz and Soul Experience" takes a rhythmical journey through the African American, Afro Latino and other African cultures looking at varying similarities, past intersections and explore new and exciting fusions. Deeply rooted in the Caribbean dance and music culture (Salsa/Mambo, Cha-cha- cha, Rumba, etc...) while blending with African American Jazz, African modern dance as well as other traditional and social dances from West Africa, the Caribbean and the US. This class will explore the fundamental elements and movement principles of Embodied Africanist Aesthetics while recognizing the varying similarities, past intersections, current and future fusions with other cultures.
“Sekou McMiller & Friends”
The collective known as "Sekou McMiller & Friends" is led by the esteemed choreographer, Sekou McMiller, and comprises a talented ensemble of seasoned professional dancers, musicians, composers, and club/street performers. The primary objective is to persistently create authentic artistic endeavors that not only enable individuals to experience the captivating fusion of music and dance, showcasing their infectious rhythmic nature, but also actively engage in and witness a profound cultural reunion of once interconnected communities. By doing so, this initiative contributes to the ongoing dialogue on reshaping and fortifying the concept of self-identification for individuals with black and brown bodies in an era of increasingly blurred borders and global citizenship. Past performances include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Bryant Park, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and Little Island NYC. Most recent performances include Jacob’s Pillow creative lab and Guggenheim: Works & Process.
Choreographer: Sekou McMiller
New York City/Chicago-based choreographer, teacher, curator, and producer at the forefront of a new movement in Afro Latin dance. McMiller’s unique fusion style has a strong Afro-Caribbean essence that is laced with many different dance techniques combined with an explosive energy. McMiller’s choreographic work has been featured at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Guggenheim Museum, Dance Chicago, The Actors Fund Theater, New York City Center, Ailey CitiGroup Theater, Symphony Space, Edison Ballroom, the United Nations General Assembly, Olympic Park Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, the Great Wall of China, Harbour Dance Vancouver, and Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England. McMiller’s diverse career ranges from performing off-Broadway to choreographing for Bravo, NUVO TV, and Good Morning America.
He has also performed and choreographed for top Latin artists including Gilberto Santa Rosa, Willie Colón, Ismael Miranda, Cheo Feliciano, Johnny Pacheco, Tito Rojas, Tito Nieves, Pitbull, as well as the pop icon Madonna. McMiller can be seen in the Warner Bros. theatrical feature In the Heights (2021), directed by Jon M. Chu, and in the newly released documentary Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance.
SEKOU MCMILLER's residency and performance at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center is part of the CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI), which receives major support from The Mertz Gilmore Foundation and Howard Gilman Foundation. Additional support is provided by the SHS Foundation, Harkness Foundation for Dance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. CDI is spearheaded by The Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College. www.cuny.edu/danceinitiative
Sekou McMiller and Friends' master class is part of the CUNY Dance Initiative, an expansive program providing New York City choreographers and dance companies with creative residencies on CUNY college campuses. The CUNY Dance Initiative receives major support from the Howard Gilman Foundation and Mertz Gilmore Foundation. Additional support is provided by the SHS Foundation, Harkness Foundation for Dance, and the National Endowment for the Arts. CDI is spearheaded by the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College. www.cuny.edu/danceinitiative