| Bach’d | Choreography: Gary Abbott
2011
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach Reflects the timeless grace, passion, power, and rhythmic qualities of Johann Sebastian Bach’s compositions |
| Chicago Women of Song (Suite) | Choreography: Gary Abbott, Brian Brooks, Nicole Clarke-Springer, Kevin Iega Jeff and Dereque Whiturs
2011
Music: Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Kahn, Anita O’Day, Minnie Riperton, Mavis Staples and Dinah Washington Honors vocalists born in or associated with the Windy City. “Their voices flow through the legacy of the African America experience, helping us connect to our shared values in humanity, to rejoice in those values, feel each other’s pain, laugh when we feel like crying, cry when we need to get it out.” |
| Dounia | Choreography: Nicole Clarke-Springer
2010
Music: Rokia Tratore Five women finding themselves as one. |
| I Am Deeply Rooted (Suite) | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
2010
Video: I Am Deeply Rooted (Suite) Music: Mahalia Jackson, Roger Eno, Baba Tumba, Anjey Satori & Loko Text: Shonnese C.L. Coleman and quotes from sung and unsung heroes; additional text provided by “I Am Deeply Rooted” book contributors. Identifying one’s true essence and having the courage to live it! I Am Deeply Rooted examines aspects of the “genius journey” one takes through life, reflecting upon one’s inner voice for authentic guidance. The work pays homage to sung and unsung heroes who help make each of us possible. Creation of this work was made possible in part by the Chicago Dancemakers Forum |
| 53 Inhale | Choreography: Gary Abbott
2009
Video: 53 Inhale Music: Nico Muhly “Although the physical response of my body has changed, my need to create is not diminished. It continues to stretch and inhale.”—Gary Abbott |
| Nine | Choreography: Nicole Clarke-Springer
2009
Music: Mickey HartReflects the need to hold on to one’s center of well-being, while being pulled in many different directions. |
| Touch(Suite) | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff & Gary Abbott
2009
Music: Aretha Franklin, Bobby McFerrin, Nina Simone Love, reflections, body to body, soul to soul. |
| Wild Is The Wind | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
2009
Music: Nina Simone |
| Ferrotype (Suite) | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff & Gary Abbott
2006
Video: Ferrotype (Suite) Music: Gula Island Traditional Spirituals, Thomas A. Dorsey (Georgia Tom), Anon Dvorak, Nikki Giovanni, Ma Rainey, Clarence Williams’ Blue Five, Mavis Staples Captured moments in life, images of plain folk, from the early twentieth century. The creation of Ferrotype was made possible by the generosity of Deeply Rooted’s Family of Friends. |
| We Dance | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
2006
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach We Dance was originally commissioned by the Wylliams/ Henry Danse Theater. |
| Hand To Mouth | Choreography: Gary Abbott
2005
Music: Kronos Quartet Inspired by the plight of the Somali people who lived hand- to-mouth in the midst of a civil war, drought and famine, while overlooked during the tsunami of 2005. |
| Naeemah’s Room | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
2005
Video: Naeemah’s Room Music: Ennio Morricone, Phillip Glass, and Bjork An intimate and stirring look at a troubled time in the life of Denice Naeemah Jeff (Jeff ’s sister). Naeemah’s Room gives voice to depression, a subject that affects millions and is seldom discussed. |
| Three Brazilian Dances (Suite) | Choreography: Gary Abbott & Kevin Iega Jeff
2005
Music: Mozart – Camargo Guarnieri |
| Heaven | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff & Gary Abbott |
| Jagged Ledges | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff & Gary Abbott
2004
Video: Jagged Ledges Music: Martin Tillman, Tom Bedvik, Jai Utal and Peter Gabriel Text: Staceyann Chin The plight of people living with HIV/AIDS … The soul’s quest for freedom. |
| The Club | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff & Gary Abbott
2004
Video: The Club Original Music: Janice Pendarvis & Raymond Jones The 80’s/90’s people of the night, their passions, fashions and drama that becomes their dance. The beats rule the crowd—people seek themselves inside of intimate connections, dancing like there’s no tomorrow |
| MOVE! (Suite) | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff & Gary Abbott
2004
Original Music: Janice Pendarvis & Raymond Jones |
| Tleftraeh | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
2004
Music: Antonin Dvorak Inspired by nineteenth century African-American family photographs. Tleftreah was commissioned by the Ruth Page Foundation and the Ravinia Festival, Highland Park IL. |
| The Dance We Dance | Concept: Kevin Iega Jeff Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff & Gary Abbott 1998
Video: The Dance We Dance Text: Shonnese C.L. Coleman ,Lee Aca Thompson performed with Karamu Kush Company repertoire reflecting the soul’s journey through human experience, introspection, self-discovery and acts of free will. |
| Surrender | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
1997
Video: Surrender Music: Terrance Trent Darby and Hans Zimmer The trinity of spirit, mind and body. |
| Just…Miss Sadie | Choreography: Gary Abbott
1996
Music: Ruth Brown, Linda Hopkins, Hound Dog Taylor and Jimmy Scott Text: Shonnese C.L.Coleman A comedic, at times pathetic, journey of a woman trapped by her own vices. |
| Resonant Untruth | Choreography: Krystal Hall-Glass
1996
Music: Sam Cooke and The Last Poets One man’s quest for self-discovery and healing. |
| Desire | Choreography: Gary Abbott
1994
Video: Desire Music: Hans Zimmer, Geoff McCormack Simon Goldberg Desire explores three types of attraction, first sight, physical beauty and young love. When the company dances together it depicts the primal urge of attraction felt by all. |
| Church of Nations | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
1991
Video: Church of Nations Music: Ennio Morricone and The Art Of Noise Should religious leaders give consent to war in the name of God? |
| Somewhere | Choreography: Gary Abbott
1991
Music: Aretha Franklin |
| Sweet in the Morning | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
1991
Music: Bobby McFerrin |
| Bittersweet | Choreography: Gary Abbott
1990
Music: Aretha Franklin” |
| In His Name | Choreography: Anthony Marshall
1990
Music: Prince and Michael Pluzick Man’s ascension. |
| Dedication (Suite) | Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
1984
Video: Dedication (Suite) Music: Quincy Jones, Claus Ogerman and Patti Austin An ancestral elder passes the legacy of life onto children of the new world. |
| Flack (Suite) |
Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
1984
Video: Flack (Suite) Music: Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones and Donny Hathaway A portrait of strife, despair and ultimate triumph! |
| Nia Keii…A Gift of Life (Suite) |
Choreography: Kevin Iega Jeff
1982
Music: Joe Sample Nature’s elements in fluid movement. |