Hama: His Life, His Dance (Part 1 of 2)

To watch Part 2, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szcFjjXQPtQ .

This short documentary, directed by Tony Lam and produced by Judy Lam, celebrates the life and dance of jazz dance master, Takeshi Hamagaki (better known as "Hama"), on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

Hama began his dance career in Tokyo where he was a lead dancer at Toho Theater, a variety show company. Hama lived in New York from 1964 to 1970, where he studied with famed jazz dance instructor Luigi and was his assistant for seven years both performing and teaching around the city. He also taught at Harkness Ballet Company. His dance credits began to accumulate where he became lead dancer in The Education of Hyman Caplan at Radio City Music Hall. He also appeared in summer stock, night club acts and numerous television specials.

After moving to Los Angeles, he became better known as a choreographer. His credits include variety show reviews, tours and television commercials, as well as many works as a guest choreographer. Hama dedicated himself to teaching and taught at every major studio, school and university in the western United States. He is recognized nationally and internationally for his distinct style of jazz dance. He became the recipient of The Lifetime Achievement in Dance Award by The Lehman Foundation in 1998.

Realizing two life long dreams, Hama opened his first dance studio in 1991, called Hama's Dance Center, and in 1994, he established the Jazz Dance L.A. Foundation, a non-profit organization which produced a yearly dance showcase concert for the purpose of providing a forum for jazz dance. JDLAF's mission is expressed each year in these multi-cultural, cross-generational concerts that present jazz dance pieces and new works from some of L.A.'s best known choreographers and talented emerging artists.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Hama
• Takeshi Hamagaki
• jazz dance
• jazz dance master
• Luigi
• Tony Lam
• Judy Lam
• Denise Leitner
• Hama's Dance Studio
• Jazz Dance L.A. Foundation

[vmsam]

Oh my! I assisted Hama for quite a few years and just love him so much!!! Thank you for doing this video of him. I saw him about 8 mos ago when I was visiting LA. So great to see him and do his warm up again. My warm up continues the Luigi/hama Legacy. Those Hama-ites in SF, come take my class in Redwood City on Sundays! So great for my body as well as others.

[MDHINC1]

I studied under Hama 30 years ago. Does anyone have his warm up on video?

[lohphat]

I studied under Hama @ DeFore's in OC 20 years ago. Now I'm in SF and would do anything to do his warmup again.