Jazz Ain’t Nothing But Soul is an extraordinary and soulful concert dance performance. The dance is the main focus, with the musicians and singers following the dancers’ movements in a soulful and gospel-inspired song featuring African rhythms and movements that span across the Atlantic and multiple generations.

Tabanka Dance Ensemble creates engaging dance art based on extroverted and rhythmic expressions from Africa and the Caribbean. In Jazz Ain’t Nothing But Soul, Tabanka draws heavily on dance and song that have played a crucial role in the fight against segregation, apartheid, slavery, and racism, shaping the songs and dance forms that the world loves to both listen to and engage with.

In this performance, Tabanka explores dance’s potential as an agent for social change, while offering the audience a rare opportunity to experience a space that showcases how Africans have empowered themselves after experiencing inhumane conditions. This is both to continue to stand in the fight and to celebrate in a spiritual and unabashed manner the moments of respite between the heavy moments. These celebrations honor the breathing spaces that can be filled with pure joy, celebrating the gift of being alive and being together.

The performance is part of Multiplié dansefestival 2023