SURGE
Dance on Film
Sunday 18th May – performance 8.30pm -10pm
Followed by Dj and dance til late (1.00am)

A performance event as part of the COLLIDE 2002/03
COMMISSIONING PROGRAMME 2003 For BLACK ARTISTS IN BIRMINGHAM

‘SURGE’, a performance event at the Living Room, Broad Street, Birmingham, will be an exploration into energy and form in urban Architecture, Dance and Music. The evening will juxtapose architectural and digital images as a backdrop to performance by Jazz-fusion band ‘EFFUSION’ and improvisational jazz dancers. This will be followed by a free for all dance session to the contemporary urban-fusion beats of DJ Bruce Qureshi.
The evening will also build upon and give exposure to the resurgence of live jazz dance in Birmingham fuelled and motivated by DJ Bruce Qureshi and supported by Ian Ross- Mckenzie and the Living Room

As multimedia artist and architect I have been trying to grapple with the idea of ‘Synthesis’ over the last twenty years. ‘SURGE’ is the first presentation of my arts practice to date which will explore these subliminal connections in a performance event involving improvisational jazz music and dance, bringing all the elements together in one artistic expression.

‘SURGE’ will be a culmination of my experiences involving live dance and a conceptual approach to public theatre, a synthesis. The event will be held in a public setting

BIOGRAPHIES OF ARTISTS
Lead Artists: Saranjit Birdi
Saranjit’s background ranges from architecture to dance and music and he has been interested in the connections between these arts since 1979. He qualified as an Architect at Bristol University where he was pro-active in the University dance Society and local dance club scene. 1n 1984 He went on to work in London based architectural practices for two years whilst attending evening Jazz dance classes at Urdang Dance Academy in Covent Garden; open classes at London Contemporary Dance, and the Jazz-Funk club scene in London. In 1986 he joined Jazz-Latin band ‘Design’ (which later became the band ‘Effusion’) as percussionist and dancer.

On returning to Birmingham in 1986, Saranjit continued working in the architectural field whilst being committed to dance and music. He taught Jazz-Funk Classes at Birmingham Dance Centre for several years after qualifying in Community Dance. During this time he has developed as a professional jazz percussionist and choreographed dance for film and stage. Since 1999 he has been active as a public artist with several sculpture and public art commissions completed.

A crucial land mark in his career development was an MA Research titled ‘Synthesis as the basis for conceptual design, in which he academically explored the connections between architectural form, dance and music using Video and Computer animation as tools of exploration.

The Collide event commission–‘SURGE’ – is the first culmination of Saranjit’s arts practice to date which will explore these subliminal connections in a performance event involving improvisational jazz music and dance. Saranjit brings together various

The Band: ‘EFFUSION’
Tiddu Mankoo – Lead Guitar and Vocals
Biddy Mankoo – Drums
Saranjit Birdi – Percussion
Rob Genko – Bass
Felix Ruiz - Keyboards

EFFUSION are a talented band whose music is described as a blend of Latin Jazz-funk grooves. The band was formed in 1999 by brothers Tiddu and Biddy Mankoo who were the nucleus of the 80’s jazz-funk bands Design and Zenith.

After a lay-off period the Mankoos decided to form Effusion, adding their original percussionist Saranjit Birdi. Bassist Rob Genko and keyboardist Felix Ruiz (currently touring with ‘Boney M’) were recruited to form the current band. Occasionally guest musicians are invited to add variety to the line up and sound.

The different backgrounds and styles of the members blend together to produce Effusion’s distinctive sound.

Effusion’s music rides on improvisation and spontaneity to give a unique sound which guarantees to fill the stage with energy and passion.

Dancers:
SHAUN COPE
A renowned dancer, choreographer and performer dedicated to the development of progressive black dance, its appreciation and participation. His professional experience has taken him worldwide performing and choreographing for the stage, TV and video in the U.K, U.S.A, India and Dubai.
His self styled fusion of dance and movement has led him to work with cutting edge contemporary music and dance artists.
Shaun has been dancing for over 27 years, teaching for the last ten. He has specialized in Urban-Fusion dance which he has been teaching at Dance exchanges for the last 5 years.

YVONNE FINCH
Yvonne’s dance background comprises seven years experience in Afro-Latin dance forms. During this time she has led workshops in Cuban and Brazilian dance styles both in schools and with adults. She has performed nationally and internationally including a Caribbean tour with London-based dance company ‘Connecting Vibes’.
Yvonne’s active interest in researching and developing her art form recently took her on a month-long trip to Brazil, during which time she worked with local dancers, choreographers and musicians. This was an unforgettable experience for her which she plans to share with her students in future workshops and performance activity.

DEVON EDWARDS
Devon has been performing dance for over 25 years attending ballet classes at the Jill Clewes Dance school in Stoke for that last 18 years. Devon was also one of the original exponents of the Jazz-ballet dance movement in Birmingham in the late 70’s.
In addition Devon is a semi-professional photographer inspired by portraits and texture.

SARANJIT BIRDI
See above

DJ: BRUCE QURESHI
Early influences include Leonard Bernstein, Lalo Schifrin, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Gerschwin, Quincy Jones, Mohammed Rafi, Elvis Presley, Ravi Shankar, Laxmikant Pyaralal, Indian Raags and African Rythms.

Started DJ-ing in the mid 70’s at Birmingham’s Midlands Art Centre, Cannon Hill, playing Funk Jazz, Soul and Disco. After spending the latter part of the 70’s on the dance floor and winning many competitions, he then formed a dance group, performing nationally.

In the Early 80’s he took to the decks playing in various bars and clubs. Promoting bands such as ‘Loose Ends’, ‘Cool Notes’ at Faces nightclub, another of his favourite haunts at the time.

Mid 80’s saw Bruce starting up his Monday night at Tressines, which was later to be taken on by various other promoters. Bruce moved on to the now famous Kitten Klub, playing US and Japanese imports of the funk and jazz-fusion ilk. The ‘Klub’ started to get cult following from people all over England and from beyond the channel! Including many models, Television celebrities and especially jazz dancers.

After the advent of Acid House, the scene took a turn for the worst becoming diluted, if not dormant, as far as Bruce was concerned. Yet, getting more and more interested in the early underground ‘Garage’ music that was being played in the clubs of New York.

Early 90’s he started a Monday night at the now dissolved ‘Coast to Coast’, which attracted the best dancers around including Errol T, Bulldog, Rico, Loz, Rick and Ty, Dj K, Junior, Sandra, Jazzcotech, Spats, Richard Valentine(Yes him), Frenchie T, Smiler and his sister, Sunshine and the boys…..the list is far too long to mention here!

When Ronnie Scotts came to Birmingham, Bruce was given a residency there and given Cart Blanche in the style of music that he played. This prompted him to start his specialist night with his friend and partner Ian Ross McKenzie AKA ‘Gonzo’ (who is now General Manager at the Living Room, Birmingham).

Having worked over the years with a variety of Dj’s and musicians including Detroits Derrick May, Sasha, James Lavelle, and Norman Jay (Bruce is credited to be the first to bring him to Birmingham). And also Djing on the same stage as Roy Ayers, Brand New Heavies, Shola Ama, Airto and Flora Purim, War etc.

He is at the moment just starting his own record label ‘Liquid Fusion’ Music. Which will be predominantly Jazz based, but with a 21st century twist.

His collection of over forty thousand records covering classical, jazz, Fusion, Funk, Hip Hop, Soul, Garage, World beats, Rare Groove, Drum and Bass, and fast growing West London sound……..which is bubbling on the london underground by such luminars as : IG Culture, Orin Walters, Alex Attias, Jessica Lorren to name a few and can be heard on Bruce’s own show!

He has also taken a Friday residency at Manchester’s ‘Life Café’. The night is called ‘Liquid Fusion’, which again is an eclectic affair and uses Bruce Q’s philosophy: “I am No style but all styles”.

The residency at the Living Room on Broad street has been building up over the last 5 months with a vibrant jazz and fusion dance scene fueled by Bruce’s eclectic and contemporary mix of music on the edge.