Locomotors is a music and dance group inspired by both the practice of Dalcroze eurhythmics and the jazz tradition of open-form improvisation, sometimes known as ‘free jazz’. The group also has a special interest in the somatic connection between sound and movement, and in using that connection as a basis for artistic creation and exploration. The core members are myself, Michael Joviala, piano and composition, and Dawn Pratson, dance and choreography. The group was in residence as part of a pilot program of the New York Chapter of the Dalcroze Society of America during the calendar-year of 2023. Some of that work has been collected on a Youtube playlist, and I’ve written about us on a couple of occasions on this blog.
On October 27 2023, we were joined by legendary saxophonist/woodwind player Marty Ehrlich in a performance at the Mark Morris Dance Center. The following day we offered the final workshop in our series on collaborations between improvising musicians and improvising dancers at the Lucy Moses School, Kaufman Music Center, New York City.
In August 2023, we performed at the International Conference of Dalcroze Studies (ICDS) and gave a workshop at Carnegie Melon University in Pittsburgh, PA:
We are currently creating new work with my good friend and artist, Derrick Melander. He is a sculptor who has used clothing as one of his main mediums. You can check out his work here. We are very much in the beginning stages. I hope to have something to share soon!
The transformative power of collaboration through improvised music and dance is available to all. We’d love to work with you or your group. Drop us a line below…
