DJD is one of very few dance companies in North America dedicated to jazz dance. A creation-based company, we present new work annually, most often with live original music. Our company was born in 1984 to keep the spirit of jazz alive and we have created over 70 original productions in our 40-year history. We perform in our home base of Calgary as well as touring across Canada and beyond.
We are situated on Treaty 7 territory, home of the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Tsuut’ina, Stoney-Nakoda Nations and Métis Nation Districts 5 and 6.
Jazz is born of African American roots and its roots lie in the turbulent history of the Black American experience. We acknowledge this history and recognize ourselves as guests in this form. We are inspired by and benefit from traditions born of a culture that is not our own. We strive to be respectful in honouring the roots and history of jazz, we dance with reverence for those who came before us, we dig deep to go forward, we strive to appreciate rather than appropriate.
