Baby Laurence Legacy Project Premiere
Creative Alliance's inaugural performing artist in residence, tap dancer and vocalist, Brinae Ali, and her bandmates of the Baltimore Jazz Collective celebrate the life and legacy of Baltimore's greatest tap dancer: Baby Laurence (February 24, 1921-April 2, 1974). Baby Laurence was the first tap dancer to record a jazz album—Dancemaster (recorded in 1959, released in 1977). Brinae will be sharing works in progress that reimagine his music, as well as original compositions and choreography. The Baby Laurence Legacy Project is supported by NEFA's National Dance Projects, Johns Hopkins University Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts, and Peabody Jazz & BFA Dance Department.