Dee Alexander and Jumaane Taylor

Dee Aleander 
Born on Chicago’s west side, Dee Alexander is one of the city's most gifted and respected vocalist/songwriters. Her talents span every music genre, from Gospel to R&B, Blues to Neo-Soul. Yet her true heart and soul are experienced in their purest form through Jazz. Growing up in a household steeped in recordings of Dinah Washington; Ms. Alexander names Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Chicago saxophonist Henry Huff among her major influences. Thus, setting her on the path to becoming one of the most accomplished voice improvisers in the world today. Ms. Alexander is currently a WFMT Jazz Radio host.

 

Jumaane Taylor
Jumaane Taylor, a Chicago native, has been tap dancing since the age of 7 beginning at the Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre. He has had the opportunity to train with Idella Reed Davis, Geraldine Williams, Runako Jahi, Bril Barrett, Martin Dumas III, Jimmy Payne Jr., and George Patterson III. Jumaane has been part of the ensemble in Imagine Tap! (2006 directed and choreographed by Derick Grant); Tap Into Peace (2009 directed and choreographed by Sarah Savelli and Ayodele Casel); and Rasta Thomas' Tap Stars that premiered in Hamburg, Germany. While also tapping with local live bands, Corey Wilkes’ Abstrakt Pulse, and Sidewalk Chalk until 2014. In 2015, Jumaane created Supreme Love. A tap dance production honoring John Coltrane’s 'A Love Supreme' and the art of tap, premiering at jazz music and dance festivals including Jacob's Pillow in 2017. In 2018 he established Heel and Toe Productions, presenting The Jazz Hoofing Quartet. A solo dance performance using improvisation, to continue the progressive exploration of live music with tap. 2020 delivered Ugly Flavors, covering Ornette Coleman selections, then part 1 from Igor Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring'. Choreographing a new layer of rhythmical dynamics from the two legendary composers, as the tap dancers celebrate their relationship to the earth. Jumaane’s 2022 presented “Cheap Hotels & Suites”, a collection of choreographed works premiered with tap ensemble Stone Soup Rhythms. Jumaane has received the Chicago Dancemakers Forum 2017 Lab Artist Award, 3Arts 2019 Award, and has presented his work with the Museum of Contemporary Art, Jazz Institute of Chicago, Columbia College-Dance Center and abroad. He teaches at Mayfair Arts Center, Ruth Page School of Dance, and the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Since 2021 Jumaane has also been the artistic director of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project.