For the past four decades, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks has been entertaining audiences with their signature mix of dance set to jazz.

Celebrating that 40-year milestone, the company is set to premiere Reminiscing in Tempo, which features some of the best music from the long history of DJD, along with the choreography that audiences have come to love.

Kristlan Alexandrov, band leader for the production and longtime DJD collaborator, said that reminiscence is something that has to be seen twice to take in.

“It’s interesting for us to play, and it’s definitely interesting to watch. There’s just so much choreography language that it’s interesting to see all together, and the same in the same show,” Alexandrov said.

“Musically, too, it’s quite diverse. I think it makes for a lot more fun.”

He said the music styles that the live band will be performing range from traditional to contemporary jazz, the blues, Afro-Cuban, and even some funk.

“This is a lot of the highlights of choreography over the years. Kim and Vicki have picked out some really, really good stuff. So for the hardcore DJD fans, they’ll recognize a lot of this,” Alexandrov said.

For Sabrina Comanescu, who is dancing in Reminiscing in Tempo, getting to be a part of the 40th anniversary show was both an honour and a responsibility that comes with pressure.

“Some of these pieces are, they’re so famous, and you definitely feel the weight of that,” she said.

“We do a dance called Yellow Moon. We’re in a whole blues suite, and that piece has such a legacy. I remember seeing that being performed, and so, to now step into that, you feel the weight and the responsibility.”

She said getting to take on all of the characters and choreography was exciting for performers.

“There is a wide spectrum of styles and characters. There’s moments where we’re leaping through the air and we’re pretending to be animals, and then sometimes you’re pretending to be a really old guy on a train. Going back and forth between all that is really exciting.”

Reminiscing in Tempo runs at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks from April 24 through May 11. Tickets are on sale now.

Photos and video from Reminiscing in Tempo