The photography of arnie zane, published by mit press in 1999. During this time, they redefined the duet form and. Jones, artistic director of new york live arts and artistic directorcofounder of the bill t. The company has performed worldwide in over 200 cities in. Linda davidsonthe washington post by sarah kaufman august.
In this interview for project humanities, bill t jones talks about how ideas and knowledge can open your world and help us understand what it means. Schuberts winterreise paints bleak landscape for bill t. Like the dance work, storytime the book is filled with telling vignettesabout joness childhood as part of a large, poor. Founded as a multicultural ensemble in 1982, the company was born of an elevenyear artistic collaboration between bill t. Looking ahead to the future of modern dance with bill t. May 30, 20 this season, dancer and choreographer bill t. Through his choreography, there were always dances produced by him that contained strong themes to which a lot can be related towards society. Jonesarnie zane company, founded in 1982, was born out of an 11year collaboration between bill t. The transcendent artistry of a legendary dancer, four. The transcendent artistry of a legendary dancer, four decades.
Jones arnie zane dance companys storytime, performed last weekend at berkeleys zellerbach hall, is a dance theater roller. Jones is most identified with arnie zane, with whom he cofounded bill t. For experienced and professional dancers with an interest in collaboration janet wong, the associate artistic director of the bill t. Jones in dance poses to create a poem in picture book form. The martha graham dance company was performing upstairs, bill t. Jonesarnie zane dance company jones was the 10th of 12 children of migrant farmworkers. The renowned company returns to the joyce to perform two pieces from the bill t. Jones arnie zane dance company story time founded as a multicultural ensemble in 1982, the company was born of an elevenyear artistic collaboration between bill t. Joness words and susan kuklins photographs are simple but they are stunning. Jonesarnie zane dance company was born out of an 11year collaboration between bill t. Although a t jones is not considered an sda pioneer nevertheless his work is import enough to give it a place here.
Jun 11, 2004 bill t the initial t, he says, is his real middle name jones was born in bunnell, florida on february 15 1952, one of 12 children born to gus jones and estella nee edwards, both rural. Jones and arnie zane, the company made its debut performance at the brooklyn academy of music with the world premiere of intuitive momentum with lauded drummer max roach. Jones arnie zane dance company is an american dance company based out of harlem in new york city. Apr 04, 2011 in this interview for project humanities, bill t jones talks about how ideas and knowledge can open your world and help us understand what it means to be human.
Jonesarnie zane dance company was formed as a multicultural dance company in 1982 and if you were fortunate enough to see their work at that time, you witnessed a company that was not only multicultural, but one which broke all the stereotype rules about dancer body types. The following essay on the life and achievements of bill t. Joness piece stillhere, and the trend towards victim art in the nineties. Dance premieres from boris charmatz, bill t jones, and more. Modern yet wry, gorgeously danced and at times discordant, bill t. They love the photos and together we create a dance with small and whole body moves, stretches, lines and curves, jumping while making shapes in the air, ensemble and solo, etc. The reader is cautioned about the book the eastern question below. Jones 7 is one of americas premiere choreographers and dancers. The company they founded in 1982, the bill t jonesarnie zane company, still bears his late partners name. Jones series by barbara park, and illustrated by denise brunkus. During this time, they redefined the duet form and foreshadowed issues of identity, form and social commentary that would change the face of american dance. Jones revolutionized modern dance through the company he founded in 1982 with his partner arnie zane, who later died of aidsrelated lymphoma. Jonesarnie zane dance company, and executive artistic director of new york live arts. Use for picturebook hours, programs introducing dance, and any opportunity to share a beautiful book with children.
Renowned for provocative performances that blend an eclectic mix of modern and traditional dance, mr. A good man is a coproduction of a good man film llc, kartemquin films, independent television service itvs, thirteens american masters for wnet, and media process group, with. Explore our editors picks for the best kids books of the month. Jones celebrates the 30th anniversary of the bill t. After a brief warmup, dancers dive into generating movement, working collaboratively, and familiarizing. Jones is an innovative dancer and choreographer whose most famous works have been based on a loving partnership and the pain of loss. Jones is very tall and his late partner arnie zane was not. Jonesarnie zane dance company, is a multitalented artist, choreographer, dancer, theater director and writer who has received major honors ranging from the 20 national medal of arts to a 1994 macarthur genius award and kennedy center honors in 2010. Jones 1 1952 dancer, choreographer fell in love with dance 2 created heartening dances 3 blended life with art 4 selected works 5 sources 6 bill t. A good man is a coproduction of a good man film llc, kartemquin films, independent television service itvs, thirteens american masters for. Oct 26, 2011 the following essay on the life and achievements of bill t. An improvised piece they call the red circle and the blue curtain, so extraordinary it had to be shared.
As the companys artistic director and choreographer, jones has created more than 140 works, and in 2011, merged his company with new yorks historical dance theater workshop to create new york live arts. He was educated at pembroke college, cambridge where he was taught by david starkey. Joness memoir, last night on earth, was published by pantheon books in 1995. Elizabeth kaye, new york times 1994 all this time, people have been complaining about bill t jones, or praising. The company has since drawn international acclaim, performing in more than 200 cities in. Both explore the trajectory of briggss life, which descended from promise as a dancer, model and songwriter to involvement with drugs and prostitution, an aids diagnosis and. Jonesarnie zane dance company perform as jones reads his oneminute works at the premiere of storytime. Jones, right, and bjorn amelan found a second chapter in love after both losing their longterm partners. Jones is artistic director of new york live arts, the companys home in manhattan, whose activities encompass an annual presenting season together with allied education programming and services for artists. To the extent that any words can convey the experience of dance, jones does so here, eloquently and with disarming honesty. Jones, byname of william tass jones, born february 15, 1952, bunnell, florida, u. Each work is its own problem, and thats another way of saying one must find different ways into the work, and different ways to actually do what i call negotiate the distance from the inner world.
Jones, written by john rockwell, was presented in 2010 when jones was bestowed with the kennedy center honors. A very simple book that uses words and photographs of bill t. Jones and arnie zane can be found in body against body. Jones is recognized for his contributions as a dancer and choreographer. Jonesarnie zane dance company is an american dance company based out of harlem in new york city. Bill jones started his working life as a journalist with various northern provincial newspapers. Jones arnie zane dance company, analogylance 2016 and letter to my nephew 2017. He uses his own body to show different movements as the pictures. The company has also spent creative time at the pillow, developing part of last supper at uncle toms cabin during a 1990 residency. Jones is proud to have contributed to continuous replay. Jones s nephew, lance briggs, is the subject of two works performed by the bill t. Jones and ted fellows joshua roman and somi didnt know exactly what was going to happen when they took the stage at ted2015.
Tramontane, with antonio brown click to enlarge but jones is not a journalist or a historian, and his artworks are not reportage. Jones creates works that challenge us to confront tough subjects and inspire us to greater heights. Jones arnie zane dance company, and executive artistic director of new york live arts. Jones had always had a strong interest in dance and has shared it with the world through his performances. Daniel jones born 27 july 1981 is a british historian, tv presenter and journalist. Dance premieres from boris charmatz, bill t jones, and. Each part reveals jones ongoing exploration of how text, storytelling, and movement pull and push against each other as the performers move seamlessly between dancing, speaking, and singing. Dance celebrates the exhilaration, joy and magic of movement. Jones discusses philosophy and his art esther zuckerman 12.
Jun, 1982 the martha graham dance company was performing upstairs, bill t. Jones s words and susan kuklins photographs are simple but they are stunning. Filled with photographs, this book shows dancer bill t. Hyperion books published dance, a childrens book written by bill t. Jones the muchlaureled 64yearold choreographer, director, dancer and writer discusses his lifes work and performs poses from his 1983 solo work, 21. Jonesarnie zane company was born in 1982 out of an 11year collaboration between bill t. Jones, born february 15, 1952 is an american choreographer, director, author and dancer. Images courtesy of publishers, organizations, and sometimes their twitter handles. Jones arnie zane dance company was formed as a multicultural dance company in 1982 and if you were fortunate enough to see their work at that time, you witnessed a company that was not only multicultural, but one which broke all the stereotype rules about dancer body types. See which new books our editors chose as this months favorites for kids of all ages. Jones was born in reading, england, in 1981 to welsh parents. Jonesarnie zane dance company with his partner arnie zane.
Bill t jones is a contradiction, and you get the feeling he likes it like that. His company premieres its latest work, storytime, next month. Interesting book that introduces kids to the world of dance, through a dancers eyes. Jones is a beauty shop guy is the eleven book in the junie b. Jonesarnie zane companys analogy trilogy, a work based on oral histories that jones conducted.
He was educated at the royal latin school, a state grammar school in buckingham, before. Jones and the late arnie zane 19481988, appearing multiple times at the pillow since its debut engagement in 1989. In doing this, the work appeals more to the viewer as it is a dance created with intent. African american literature book club celebrating our literary legacy since 1997 black literature is for everyone african american literature book club.
They just knew they wanted to offer the audience an opportunity to witness creative collaboration in action. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Jones artistic directorcofounderchoreographer, a multitalented artist. Jonesarnie zane dance company, leads this indepth exploration of the movement material and creative structures used to create this seasons a rite.