The ricocheting conversation between classical Indian percussion and dance, and jazz music and movement has been a “secret” dialogue of dance influence for decades. Hindu Swing blends the percussive rhythmic genres of jazz and Indian music into a connected, rhythmic dance odyssey. Hindu Swing illuminates the historical relationship between Indian and Western music and dance as they were ingeniously blended in the choreography of Jack Cole, the father of jazz dance in the 1930s who went on to choreograph for Broadway and Hollywood. Among the starlets whose careers he helped advance are Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable, Jane Russell, Mitzi Gaynor and, most famously, Marilyn Monroe.

Cole was a student of Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn who continued his dance education in the Indian style of Bharatanatyam. His gift for setting the movements of East Indian dance to the swing beat of jazz music, a style which eventually earned the moniker “Hindu swing,” has left an indelible mark on American dance. Artistic Director, Namita Kapoor, has brought together a team of stellar artists including the work of Kapoor’s dance gurus, Ann Barrett-Eshabarr and Lynn Brilhante, whom studied derivatives of Cole technique. The premiere will include 8 jazz dancers and 3 classical Indian bharatanatyam dancers accompanied by a live 8 piece jazz big band and 2 Indian percussionists. Through original scores by Classical Indian percussionist, Jim Santi Owen, and jazz composer, Teddy Raven, Hindu Swing will engage and spark new conversations between cross-cultural performers, historians and dance enthusiasts.