Wolfson Archive’s YouTube videos wrap up the month of April with a glimpse of American prima ballerina Maria Tallchief and an earful of 1970s Miami jazz.
Maria Tallchief, born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief in Fairfax, Oklahoma, danced for Agnes de Mille and George Balanchine in the 1940s, becoming known as the first American prima ballerina – and as the first Native American to be so recognized. Tall Chief, who died at age 88 on April 11, danced with American Ballet Theatre at Dade County Auditorium in 1961. We remember Maria Tall Chief with a clip of her appearance.
Miami’s mid-1970s jazz scene is captured in all its polyester-clad glory in an excerpt from a story aired by WTVJ’s long-running magazine show, “Montage.” Featured in the clip: Jazz DJ Joe Rico holding court at his club, Joe Rico’s Room, with headliner Maynard Ferguson; and jazz musician Ira Sullivan jamming with UM music students. Also featured — a visit to Spec’s Music’s Dadeland store.
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