Carmen de Lavallade: Life of a Legend
Written by Carmen de Lavallade, Joe Grifasi, Talvin Wilkes, Deborah Grace Winer, and myself
I was a co-writer and Associate Producer (for producer Anna Glass) on this multidisciplinary performance created for Jazz at Lincoln Center as part of their “Life of a Legend” series honoring jazz greats. The show focused on Carmen’s relationship with jazz and jazz performers over the course of her career, and featured contributions by Sigourney Weaver and music by jazz soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom and her trio. Dancer Maggie Small recreated performances from Carmen’s early career. The show—Carmen’s last—performed live and was livestreamed.
Creative Team
Performed by: Carmen de Lavallade
Written By: Carmen de Lavallade, Joe Grifasi, Deborah Grace Winer, and myself
Producer: Anna Glass
Co-Writer, Associate Producer: Lucy Gram
Director & Co-Writer: Joe Grifasi
Co-Writers: Talvin Wilkes, Deborah Grace Winer
Music Director & Soprano Saxophonist: Jane Ira Bloom
Dance: Maggie Small
Piano: Dominic Fallacaro
Bass: Dean Johnson
Drums: Billy Drummond
Production Supervisor: Robert Henderson (The Pleung Group)
Projection Designer: Maya Ciarrocchi
Associate Projection Designer: Stivo Arnoczy
Archivist: Leo Holder
Actor: Sigourney Weaver
Reviews
“Billed as a celebration of de Lavallade’s love of both dance and jazz, this limited engagement features the beautiful 87-year-old star sharing memories interwoven with music and dance as she entertains us with stories of professional and personal encounters with such jazz legends as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Jane Ira Bloom and Bill Evans, among others.”
— Zita Allen in the New York Amsterdam News