DJD was founded to re-ignite the traditional values of jazz dance. Despite firm roots and a rich history, by the 80’s jazz dance had lost its connections to jazz music and to the vital spirit of the form. In 1984, Vicki Adams Willis, Michèle Moss, and Hannah Stilwell joined forces to offer a concert dance opportunity to dancers seeking to steward a new era of jazz dance for the world.

Jazz was born in North America of African and European parents. Its roots live in societies where music and dance are integral to everyday life. The history of jazz is a history of fusions. From the initial blending in the 1700’s of the music and dance of African slaves brought together with the sailors who transported them to the Americas, to the Spanish influences which took place in the West Indies resulting in Latin-American music and dance, through to the radical shift of the Jack Cole-led 1950's modern jazz movement – there is a long history of ever-evolving jazz genres. Somehow though, by the 1980's the majority of “jazz” dance being taught and performed was not incorporating jazz music as its primary source of inspiration or accompaniment. The resulting movement had lost its groundedness, rhythmic sophistication and focus on individual expression.

DJD was born to reclaim the spirit of the jazz dance form and evolve the art forward. The Company has created over 40 full-length works since 1983 choreographed by Vicki Adams Willis, DJD’s founding and current Artistic Director, and the Company’s co-founders as well as resident and guest choreographers.

The core aesthetic of DJD’s work is African-rooted, and swing-based with Jazz music at its heart.  Working with live music every season since 1988, DJD explores and re-mixes the defining aspects of traditional jazz forms, European and Western influences. The Company also gains inspiration from rare, like-minded international guest choreographers, and carefully nurtures choreographic talent within the Company to ensure its future. 

DJD’s performances often include the musicianship of notables such as the late Big Miller, Tommy Banks, Mark Murphy, PJ Perry, Jackie Richardson, George Koller, as well as the cream of regional jazz talent such as Kristian Alexandrov and ¡Bomba!.

DJD enlivens an audience of more than 25,000 annually. The Company has a Calgary season and tours internationally to showcase DJD’s signature style, and attract new dancers and collaborators to the Company. In 2004/05, DJD premiered excerpts from ¡BULLA! at the Havana International Jazz Festival in Cuba and performed the original dance and music creation in 13 cities across Canada. In 2006/07, DJD will complete our most ambitious tour yet - a 16-city cross Canada tour performing Magnetic Consequences from Victoria to Charlottetown.

Education is a vital component of DJD’s mission to explore, evolve and promote jazz dance. Beyond operating a full-time School of Decidedly Jazz, the Company conducts education outreach performances for kindergarten to grade 12 students, carries out school residencies to provide week-long or longer intense programs, and conducts lectures, workshops, and co-education alliances with post secondary institutions including the University of Calgary’s Dance Program.

DJD’s public performances, its school and outreach programs have fostered an ever-growing jazz savvy within Calgary, and its tour destinations over the past 23 years. DJD’s audiences and students are invited to participate in and witness the future of jazz dance brought to life by a performance company that is simply rare in the world.