Premiere New York Premiere
Production Language English
Country of Origin United States
Description Choreographer David Roussève celebrates the life of Billy Strayhorn, one of the most prolific jazz composers in history, with Halfway to Dawn. Known mostly as Duke Ellington’s collaborator, it was only after his death in 1967 at the age of 51 that his contributions to many jazz standards, including “Take the A Train” and “Lush Life,” were properly recognized. While leading an openly gay life in Harlem, actively supporting Martin Luther King, Jr., and being in the inner circle of one of the most popular bands in the world, Strayhorn was able to maintain a comfortable degree of privacy. Using movement, music, as well as still images and text, Roussève examines these different dimensions of Strayhorn’s life and explores the issues of fame, privacy, and creative authorship.
Identifier 2018f.01206
