De Toledo’s compositions, and the versatility of his band, allow the dancers to cover various shades of the jazz genre and its rhythmic cousins, including Afro-beat, samba, swing and fusion. While interaction between musician and dancer is nothing new for DJD, Family of Jazz will include some intriguing one-on-one collaborations. During the second act, Natasha Korney will dance to an improvised solo by trombonist Carsten Rubeling.

And what figures to make this Family of Jazz special is the blend of bodies in motion and live music – an increasing rarity in a world where digital culture has cut the feet out from under live performers, much to the chagrin of a choreographer like Cooper. "The relationship between dance and music is essential to jazz and having a live band takes that relationship to the next level," she says. "This band is incredible, two drummers, two horns, keys, bass and a singer, the music is fantastic and I think audiences will have trouble sitting still."

...it was the sheer joy of jazz that won the night, just as advertised, and no one could possibly have gone away disappointed from the DJD Dance Centre feeling anything less than uplifted.