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two men standing next to each with one leg in the air while tilting to the side.

Repertory

Opus McShann

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Center, 1988

MUSIC

Jay McShann & Walter Brown
Performed by Jay McShann

LIGHTING

Timothy Hunter

SETS & COSTUMES

Randy Barcelo

RUN TIME

  • 37 minutes

A choreographic portrait of Jay McShann, a great practitioner of Kansas City jazz, Opus McShann explores the myriad styles this jazz master exuded in his music. From the sexy, beguiling duet in “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You” to the comical, meandering “Doo Wah Doo,” Opus McShann presents the “jazz doctor” as a relatable, modern African American icon.

Two men stand next to each other, one in a white button down and black pants bends down hiding behind the other who is wearing a gray suite and waving.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Yannick Lebrun and Christopher Wilson in Alvin Ailey's Opus McShann Photo by Paul Kolnik

Hero Credit: Photo by Paul Kolnik