Bill T. Jones: The dancer, the singer, the cellist ... and a moment of creative magic

Legendary dance choreographer Bill T. Jones and TED Fellows Joshua Roman and Somi didn't know exactly what was going to happen when they took the stage at TED2015. They just knew they wanted to offer the audience an opportunity to witness creative collaboration in action. The result: An improvised piece they call "The Red Circle and the Blue Curtain," so extraordinary it had to be shared ...

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[shine-uyfq]

I always observed dance with an open mind. Bill T. Jones is one of the greatest choreographers in dance theatre. Love how you used your voice!

[Gobberfisch]

The amount of dislikes and the comments are showing me that only show off dancing is accepted nowadays. As a dancer myself I thought that the dancing part was the best because I could really feel what he was feeling and how he played around was just amazing.
I think someone who doesn't even dance or just learned some choreography is not able to understand what  Bill T. Jones just created here^^

[photoandfilmbycv]

Bill T. Jones is amazing! What an artist!

[carlosmirsalas]

Bill T . Jones is so great that even when he's walking It looks like he's Dancing

[hujuser]

This is an example of an act of improvisation where 3 artists use different instruments of expression: a musical instrument, a body, a voice. And it is irreproducible and beautiful!

[sailorgirllife]

The vocals and the music along with his narrative and dancing took it to a such a higher level

[baraaljamal]

Very interesting and truly amazing✨. My dance teacher told me about Bill T. Jones and now I'm very glad that she did because this is the true creation of natural creativity of the art of dance and music at its finest which is very beautiful so discover and watch, so bravo👏

[dickiemckay]

This reminded me of that scene from the fifth element with that blue alien woman!


I feel confused yet entertained at the same time.

[wendycohen]

In my youth, I created something very like this.  I sang an improvised tune and my dancer improvised her dance.  Instead of setting choreography, we set a series of emotions.  We used our reactions to each other's performance and emotions to explore our own emotions through song and dance.  It was always different, but so powerful.  The audiences loved it!

[ChrisHerrera]

I saw one of Bill's pieces on a morning news program and I'm so glad I did. I am an aspiring singer recording artist and this gave me so much inspiration to create and even involve dance, dialogue, and even more emotion. By the way this particular piece was so impactful.. Wow.. Just wow man. Love the creative energy.

[nsjx]

full of essence and unseen windstorms of emotion frozen within a suspended sunset. moments in control. the dance of the mind of watchers at the window

[andaralabs]

i love how he drives a little car and dies at the end. classic! amazing performance by the way

[mikiduta]

He would make a marvelous super villain.

[TheJaseku]

It´s a long time ago that something surprised me. Thank you for that : )

[PeytonKL]

One of my favorite yet... This is great!

[runboyprod]

I have seen his show here in Philadelphia and once in New York and I was amazed at the stride of his step the strength in his movement the baritone voice that carried a story with fluidity and movement that was spellbinding.

[Massivecarcrash]

Man that dude is ripped for being 63!

Strange, but I enjoyed it.

[SigureRangiku]

What kind of insane people are clicking thumbs down on this?

[stuvs]

Oh to sing with that purity, precision and strength.

[TheRageIncarnate]

fantastic, I had shivers all the way through