Is the Melbourne Rhythm Project a band, an extended piece of music, a theatrical show, or a dance company? The answer is all of these things and none of these things. Born from a desire to capture the shared spirit of movement and rhythm in Jazz and Dance, the Melbourne Rhythm Project is an ensemble where the movement is truly the picture of the sound, and the music the inspiration of the movement. Based around the music of acclaimed Melbourne Jazz musician Leigh Barker and conceptualized by internationally renowned dancer and choreographer Ramona Staffeld, the Melbourne Rhythm Project has the flexibility of a small Jazz band, the excitement of a modern dance company and the playfulness of a late night Lindy Hop party. The Melbourne Rhythm Project bridges the gaps between Music and Movement, Jazz and Dance, Swing and Tap, composition and improvisation, social dancing and choreography, and aims to bring back the joy of dance to the world of Jazz through a wholly collaborative process.

Venue Format
Theatre, Hall
Technical Rating
C
Touring Party
13 (7 performers, 6 musicians)
Considerations

In order to run the show we need:

  • a stage that can hold the band and the dancers together
  • a piano in good condition ('grand' or good upright acceptable)
  • wooden floor where we can tap dance
  • chairs for all the dancers on stage

Is the Melbourne Rhythm Project a band, an extended piece of music, a theatrical show, or a dance company? The answer is all of these things and none of these things. Born from a desire to capture the shared spirit of movement and rhythm in Jazz and Dance, the Melbourne Rhythm Project is an ensemble where the movement is truly the picture of the sound, and the music the inspirationofthemovement. Basedaround the music of acclaimed Melbourne Jazz musician Leigh Barker and conceptualised by internationally renowned dancer and choreographer Ramona Staffeld, the Melbourne Rhythm Project has the flexibility of a small Jazz band, the excitement of a modern dance company and the playfulness of a late night Lindy Hop party. The Melbourne Rhythm Project bridges the gaps between Music and Movement, Jazz and Dance, Swing and Tap, composition and improvisation, social dancing and choreography, and aims to bring back the joy of dance to the world of Jazz through a wholly collaborative process.

Company Website
melbournerhythmproject.com

Unique Selling Point

The Melbourne Rhythm Project is a brand new collaboration between musicians and dancers, and explores entirely new territory within the music and dance idioms of Jazz, Swing, Tap and Blues. As outlined in the band's press material, the project presents new Australian music and choreography in an interactive and improvisatory context. Audiences have the chance to experience something completely new, somewhere between a nightclub floor-show, a formal ballet, and a spontaneous social dance.

Marketing Materials

We have an excellent range of video and photographic content, useful for both print and online media. After consultation with the marketing team at the Sydney Dance Company we have developed excellent copy for print press as well. Additionally the musicians from the band have an extensive back catalogue of CD's which can be drawn on for radio publicity. We can draw on a wide-ranging audience drawn from both music and dance enthusiasts. We offer an educational experience based around social dance workshops in conjunction with the live band as outlined below.

Community Engagement

An introduction to the broad and far reaching possibilities for the combination of movement and music, both in formal performance settings and social settings. Bringing social dancing back to the tradition of Jazz performance. Experiencing world-class live dance performances in genres and idioms rarely, if ever, presented to regional Australian audiences (Lindy Hop, Swing, Jazz Dancing, Tap Dancing). Experiencing a world class music performance with highly accessible visual content. The Melbourne Rhythm Project not only offers a one-of-a-kind show, but each of its members are accomplished teachers and pedagogues in the music and dance idioms of Jazz, Swing and Tap. The MRP can offer masterclasses in Jazz History, Jazz Performance, social Swing and Lindy Hop dancing, and Tap dancing. Due to the nature of our collaboration, everything we do is highly interactive and offers endless opportunities for audience and community participation. Our dance workshops offer live music providing a direct relationship between music and dance.