Music for Class: Jazz with Pizzazz
Susan Quinn on how she makes use of music in jazz class
A master of jazz in her own right, Susan Quinn trained with the legendary Gus Giordano before becoming a faculty member, principal dancer, then associate artistic director of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago in 1983. Today, Quinn continues to use Giordano’s teaching advice, which ranged from simply encouraging her to speak slowly and articulate her words to the more encompassing: “Have a clean technical base, a strong modern center and make sure you move organically.” Currently an associate professor at The University of Arizona in Tucson, her choreography opened the first ever Jazz Dance World Congress in Evanston, Illinois, in 1990, and she just returned from teaching at the 17th Congress in Chicago. “I am set on choreographing to what the music says,” explains Quinn. “If there is a flute sound, it is your job to make sure that flute sound is introduced into your movement. If you don’t use that flute sound, don’t use that music!”
Artist: Blue Six
Album: Aquarian Angel
“Every song on this album is great! It is perfect for a continuous warm-up in jazz class—you can turn it on and let it play without skipping songs.”
Artist: Vienna Teng
Song/Album: “Inland Territory” (bonus track version), No Gringo
“This beautiful Asian woman has a unique and haunting voice that is paired with an amazing background of contemporary rhythms. In the middle of the song, it jumps into a Spanish-flavored 6-count. It’s great for traveling aggressively and ballet-inspired movement.”
Artist: Webb Sisters
Song/Album: “Comes in Twos,” Words that Mobilise
“The harmony in their voices is gorgeous. A great song to get your dancers to dig into and attack space.”
Artist: Kaci Brown
Song/Album: “Instigator,” Body Language
“This woman in hot! Where was she hiding? The whole CD is upbeat with clean lyrics. I use this in my advanced jazz class for a challenge in using dynamics.”
Artist: MoZella
Song/Album: “I Will,” I Will
“My new choreographed pliés are done to this beautiful song. Even though the rhythm is constant, her unique voice interrupts that constant rhythm and you end up choreographing just to her voice.”
Artist: Sandra Nkake
Album: Mansaadi
“I never thought I would hear a voice close to Sade. She doesn’t need any music behind her. Her voice is music, and it’s great for stretching and can be performed with Ailey-like movement.”
