Leonardo Sandoval and Gregory Richardson

Partido & Phase

“Mr. Sandoval, arriving next as if blown in from the wings, had a more spontaneous aura of thinking on his feet as he riffed off the bassist Greg Richardson’s Afro-Brazilian sounds, played live.”

- The New York Times

Partido explores the convergence of percussive dance with contemporary urban styles in African-American and Afro-Brazilian culture.  The piece highlights the deep connections between music and dance of African origin in Brazil and the US and links styles like samba and house dance through shared rhythms and footwork.  Through vibrant, playful percussive choreography and music, Partido addresses questions of cultural identity and race, highlighting and celebrating a shared heritage.