Donald McKayle celebrates the depth of music with Kansas City

For 60 years, Donald McKayle entertained countless audiences with his choreography and is now in Kansas City working on a masterpiece called "Hey-Hay Going to Kansas City" for the Kansas City Ballet's Winter Program in February.

On Jan. 24, at the Central Library in conjunction with the Kansas City Ballet; the recipient of five-time Tony Award-nomination; the NAACP Image Award (for "Sophisticated Ladies"); an Emmy Award nomination; the Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award; the Capezio Award; the Heritage Award; the Living Legend Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award; McKayle discussed his exceptional career and experience with the passionate dancers in Kansas City.

McKayle has come to Kansas City to create a masterpiece to celebrate the Kansas City Ballet's 50th anniversary.

"Hey-Hay Going to Kansas City" is the piece that will personify the spirit and energy of Kansas City's golden age of jazz.

"The rich history in fact, anecdote and legend surrounding Kansas City Jazz is fertile ground for a marvelous dance," McKayle said.

McKayle will give Kansas City a taste of everything from traditional jazz to boogie style to exotic to every style imaginable in jazz dancing and music.

"It was always different, because you never knew what you'll run into next…" McKayle said.

With a mischievous smile, McKayle told stories about different artists he's worked with. Barbara Smith, a singer with a marvelous voice, was one of the artists McKayle worked with, and he will never forget the experience.

"Barbara was at the event to sing 'Evergreen'," McKayle said.

He explained how Smith had asked for a new stage and after the practice changed the camera settings and so forth. Not taking any names, he mentioned another dancer who had refused to dance on the stage.

"I don't dance on that," McKayle said, imitating the dancer. But this was not where it ended. After building a new stage, the dancer had refused once again.

For McKayle these experiences have not just been memorable, but also an inspiration for his work. McKayle is working with 10 couples for "Hey-Hay Going to Kansas City." This means for 10 couples there are 20 characters and double the choreography. In the journey of making this masterpiece, the past experiences have influenced McKayle to create a different character and choreography for the piece.

It has been a memorable expedition for McKayle creating "Hey-Hay Going to Kansas City."

McKayle is working on the last piece of the musical and expects the hard work of the dancers will pay off at the 50th anniversary of Kansas City Ballet.

This musical will take the audience through a deviation of cities, time and style of jazz - varying from dances sequences of blues to swing to something totally different. So passionate dancers, jazz lovers and everyone else - keep your eyes open and let the magic of "Hey-Hay Going to Kansas City" take you to a journey through different cities, times and styles of jazz.

jmehta@unews.com

From the mouth of a dance master: Exerpts from interview

Nicole English: How did the project for the new ballet that Donald McKayle is choreographing for the Kansas City Ballet's 50th Anniversary ["Hey-Hay, Going to Kansas City"] come about?

William Whitener [Director of Kansas City Ballet]: This is a work that I had on the back burner for a while. … I knew I wanted something in the repertory that honors the great Jazz tradition of our city … and I had Donald McKayle in mind for a while. … Then, recently, I was reminded of his great artistry when he was in town working on one of his classic works, "Games," recently for the Wylliams/Henry Dance Company. … It reminded me of when I had seen his work for Alvin Ailey in NYC when I was with the Joffery. … So, I have been a great fan for many years … and we are delighted to have him working with the dancers … and things are going, as they say, swimmingly. … It looks great. … It will be a wonderful program. … We are presenting two new works and a classic piece at the KC Ballet in Feb. 21-24. … One of them will be mine, which opens the show and this one of Donald's will be closing the show … and we will present a classic piece from well-known choreographer, Twyla Tharp, in between. … Immediately after the Kansas City premiere, we will be taking the whole show then to the Joyce Theatre in New York City March 11-16.

NE: How did William Whitener approach you about the project? What were your thoughts about the project?

Donald McKayle [Choreographer]: During the After Party of "Games" that we staged for the Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company last year at UMKC, Bill came up to me and said, "Why don't you do a ballet for us? We would love for you to do something for us." … It was very straightforward … and I said, emphatically, "Yes," … and that is how it began. … Bill then introduced me to Chuck Haddock of KCUR's local Jazz music show, the Fish Fry … and Chuck helped me to select 55 pieces of music that were representative of Kansas City Jazz music. … He made recordings for me to take back to New York City. … From those 55 pieces, I narrowed it down to seven pieces … all instrumentals, covering a variety of periods and styles … including Euday Bowman's "12th Street Rag," Charlie Parker's "Max Making Wax," and Count Basie's "Jumping at the Woodside." … They have been wonderful dancers. … We have been working five hours a day for the last three weeks. … They have really learned how to push the beat … pull the beat … work the beat.

NE: What are your favorite pieces that you have choreographed?

DM: Whatever I am working on currently becomes my favorite piece. Since I am working currently on three pieces, including the Kansas City Ballet piece … it is one of my current favorite pieces.

nenglish@unews.com