Ravensbourne brings jazz dance to life in new Roy Hemmings music video
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Ravensbourne University London staff and alumni have come together to create a new music video for renowned jazz soul artist Roy Hemmings, bringing together music, film and dance to celebrate the roots of jazz dance.
Directed by Ravensbourne Associate Professor in Digital Film Production, Dr Orson Nava, the video for Hemmings’ new track Never Know What You’ve Got explores the relationship between music and movement, placing the energy of Lindy Hop within a contemporary underground club setting.
Shot in striking black and white, the video draws on the origins of Lindy Hop in Harlem during the 1920s, capturing the energy and individuality created when dancers and musicians connect.
The production brought together a creative team with strong connections to Ravensbourne. DFP graduate Ray Miller-Davis worked as cinematographer, while Ravensbourne sessional lecturer Dudley Nganjo worked as gaffer and operated B camera. Recent post-production graduate Philip Kapadia edited the finished video.
Orson quote
The project was an amazing opportunity to bring dance, music and film together, and work with a very talented film crew who were trained at Ravensbourne University London.”
The video was produced and choreographed by Jreena Green and features her Jazz Dance Elite Dance Company, which specialises in African diaspora heritage dance styles including flash tap, Lindy Hop and the Charleston.
Green has performed extensively throughout her career, including as part of the original West End cast of The Lion King, and has choreographed campaigns for brands including Levi’s, Guinness, KFC and Google.
The project was also supported by The Jazz Dance Collective, a network of academics and dance practitioners brought together by their shared interest in authentic jazz dance and its heritage.
Alongside the film and dance talent involved, the production also featured fashion from designer Wale Adeyemi MBE, who generously provided pieces from his B-Side clothing range for the shoot.
The collaboration demonstrates the creative possibilities that emerge when film, music, fashion and dance come together, while providing opportunities for Ravensbourne staff and alumni to apply their skills in a professional production environment.
Ravensbourne University London is proud to collaborate with industry and projects like this, giving our students the opportunity to be exposed to professional working briefs.
To find out more about studying with us, explore our course pages.
