A talk bringing together leading voices from academia, dance and cultural history to explore the legacy of African Diaspora dance in Britain.
Join us to celebrate the opening of Jazz Dance in British Culture, an exhibition exploring how African Diasporic Jazz dance has shaped British culture from the 18th century to the present day, from the Cakewalk to UK Jazz.
From music halls to contemporary street dance, the exhibition celebrates 200 years of movement, creativity, resilience and cultural exchange, showing how Black dance helped shape Britain’s dance identity.
It will be the first exhibition of its kind in Britain focused on dance.
Speakers for this talk will include Annette Walker, currently undertaking doctoral research on Buddy Bradley, and Jreena Green, who developed the academic module Charleston to Hip Hop. The panel also features Jerry Barry, a key figure in UK jazz dance and founder of IDJ (I Dance Jazz), and Nina Kristofferson, an international multi-award-winning jazz singer, actor & writer with a career that extends across the musical stage and screen.
This event is presented as part of Black History Month and is accompanied by the Swinging at the Savoy performance evening.
About the Jazz Dance Collective:
The Jazz Dance Collective is an educational hub for Tap Dance, Authentic Jazz, and UK Jazz. The Collective brings together the knowledge of Jazz, encompassing both its history and practice. These three disciplines of Jazz dance link its foundation and evolution, providing a coherent line to educate the future generation. Members of the Collective join together in projects, sharing space and discussion. The Collective works together to investigate and contribute to expanding the knowledge of Jazz using the wealth of information from its different aspects.
The Jazz Dance Collective is an organisation that is making Jazz history the foundation of its practice. Jazz was created by African Americans, emerging at a period to liberate the people from the pain and inequality of the New World. It was born out of oppression but gave great freedom to the wider African diaspora, working through pain and hardship using skill and joy. Jazz enriches and frees the soul.
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About Jreena Green:
Jreena Green is a professional choreographer, dance teacher and 'practical dance historian'. Recent choreographic credits include major commercials for Guinness, M&S, Balmain, Youtube, Google, KFC, Mr Muscle and Levis and the feature film ‘The Phantom of the Open’ for Working Title films. Jreena has her own dance company Jazz Dance Elite, and was original cast of the Tony award-winning West End musical 'The Lion King'. Jreena has developed a module entitled 'Charleston To Hip Hop' that explores the the links between current urban dance styles and African American dance styles from the 1920s. Jreena is the Artistic Director of Jazz Dance Elite and a co-founding member of the Jazz Dance Collective.
About Annette Walker:
Annette Walker is a performer, writer, researcher and consultant. Annette is an alumni Trailblazer Fellow of Dance of the African Diaspora (One Dance UK) and was the specialist in tap dance for the Royal Academy of Dance’s pilot project of Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing. She teaches both music and dance and for over 10 years led the the improvisation workshop for tap dancers at the London Tap Jam. Annette’s research area of interest is the past and present relationship between jazz dance and music, improvisation, and the development of tap dance in the UK in relation to its historic African American roots. She is currently a PhD student researching the forgotten British-based musical stage influence and work of choreographer, Buddy Bradley. Annette is a co-director and one of the founding steering committee members of the Tap Dance Research Network UK (TDRN UK) and a co-founding member of the Jazz Dance Collective.
About Jerry “IDJ” Barry:
Jerry Barry, founder of IDJ (I Dance Jazz), is a key figure in the world of UK Jazz (also known as Jazz Fusion). One of the most influential companies at the time, IDJ were a company that created and developed a new dance style but also gave a new voice to Black British youth spanning over two decades. His company has not only performed in major theatres and TV shows around the world but has also been an influence on British culture and across the world. Japan is now seen as one of the leading countries to showcase UK Jazz. Despite a lack of funding, Jerry and other UK Jazz pioneers have kept the art form alive in the community with activities such as all-day events and underground gatherings. Jerry trains young dancers and works with Authentic Jazz dance practitioner and practical historian, Jreena Green and her company, Jazz Dance Elite. Both Jerry and Jreena have been working together for over three years, linking the Authentic Jazz from the USA with the UK Jazz style and techniques, which has helped develop awareness of different styles and genres. Jerry’s work has assisted young professional dancers to grow and develop their practice from hip hop, contemporary, and commercial jazz dance backgrounds. These dancers can utilise UK Jazz to further their skills and diversity beyond dance.
About Nina Kristofferson:
Nina Kristofferson is an International Multi-Award Winning Critically Acclaimed Actor, Writer, Jazz & Opera Singer. She has been described by The Times as ‘hypnotizing, captivating, electrifying’. The author and creator of her self-penned one-woman shows, Nina Kristofferson’s Billie Holiday Story, Timeless Concert (sung in French, Italian, Spanish, Latin and English), Festive Christmas, Nina Kristofferson Sings Jazz have been captivating audiences around the World with standing ovations and sold out performances. Nina’s received countless Awards, 5 Star Reviews and returns to the beautiful PizzaExpress Live in Chelsea, 6 November 2026 to celebrate the legendary Billie Holiday in Concert. Nina’s many styles include Jazz & Blues, Shakespeare to Opera, TV to Film, including sold out appearances at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London Jazz Festival, Latitude Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Acting roles include Medea in Medea, Cleopatra in Anthony & Cleopatra, Liz Imbrie in High Society, Fanny Dashwood & Mrs Jennings in Sense & Sensibility, Janelle Woods & Lead Shirelles & Piano in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Ethel McCormack & Piano in Footloose at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Paula Symons in Doctors, BBC, Food For Thought, Film Documentary and Cristina Barcello, in the Operatic Film, Love Thou Art My Soul.
Contact: If you have any questions regarding this exhibition, please email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk
Venue: The Gallery Cafe at St Margaret’s House, 21 Old Ford Road, London, E2 9PL
Access: Step-free entry to The Gallery Cafe is at the rear, through the garden. It is accessible through the gate located two doors to the left of the cafe’s main entrance. If you require access to an accessible toilet, please get in touch with us on 020 8980 2092 or email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk so we can arrange this for you.
Food and Drink: Please be aware that the Cafe will not be serving everything it does during the day. No coffees, but you can buy teas, beer, wine and soft drinks and a selection of salads from the menu or crisps.
Date: Wednesday 14th October
Time: 6-8pm (talk will start at 6.45pm)
Tickets:
Pay Less (covers some of our costs) – I am a student, unemployed, on benefits or financially stressed - £5
Standard (covers most of our costs) – I am employed, have some expendable income, and manage to meet my basic needs - £7
Pay it Forward (covers all of our costs and supports our work) – I am employed or have enough savings to comfortably meet my basic needs - £9