Jazz • News • Views • Reviews
August 2022 - Insightful Article on The Journey of Jazz Dance written by Journalist Howard Lawes
We were delighted to receive an insightful and inspiring written article that recalls the journey of JAZZ DANCE.
The article written by Jazz journalist Howard Lawes features JTAUK Members - Dollie Henry MBE & Paul Jenkins and impression of their work and published book The Essential Guide to Jazz Dance. (Published by and available from Crowood Press)
Section from the article written by Howard Lawes.
"The Essential Guide to Jazz Dance (2019) by Dollie Henry and Paul Jenkins is rather more upbeat. This very readable book, (and invaluable source of information for this article) describes the history, the music, and development of the genre as well as providing a text for the dance teacher and student” HL.
June 2022 - Exciting News! A GRAND achievement for Black Women in Dance and UK Jazz Arts.
We at JTAUK are SO incredibly proud of our Jazz Mama - Dollie Henry. Recognised in the Queens Platinum Jubilee Honours List, with an MBE for “Services to Dance.
Dollie shares her thoughts… "This is all a bit surreal, but I’m blown away by this recognition and to receive it within this special year. I would also like to say - thank you to the person/s who nominated me, iI'm truly humbled and touched.
I never thought when I started dancing at 4 years old that on my 60th year of life I would even see a sniff of anything like this … I do what I do because of my passion and love for life through the art of dance and the joy to then share it.
It is a gift to receive this kind of recognition, despite the connotation and history behind this kind of Award, which as a person of colour and Black British, it resonates for me. However, more important is to accept and acknowledge this moment, receive the gift with graciousness and now continue to push the jazz narrative forward, to do more to improve the pathways and myself.
I believe we all have a story to tell and create, that helps us to continue our journey of aspiration with inspiration.
This beautiful acknowledgment actually reminds me that, the journey has been worth every single dance step, every word of rejection and every feeling of elation, all the grafting and crafting, all the blood, sweat and many tears!. Here's one for Black British Women in Dance and our beloved art form of JAZZ!" - MamaDMBE.🖤🤎 🤍
CONGRATULATIONS and WE LOVE YOU - DOLLIE HENRY • MamaDMBE.
October 2021 -
One Dance UK Magazine Article
THE BEAT OF BOP JAZZ THEATRE COMPANY CONTINUES TO RISE UP … As BOP Jazz Theatre Company celebrates its 25th anniversary as one of the few UK Jazz Theatre Company’s in command of the Jazz Artists journey as we move through the 21st century.
Katie Willy talks to BOP Jazz Directors Dollie Henry and Paul Jenkins about the unique nature of jazz dance and music and highlights some of the company’s key achievements.