The Hamiett Blueitt 3 took the stage for the very long second segment of the evening. Not being a connoisseur of Jazz, I will only comment to contrast it with more classical forms in that neither brevity nor conciseness of expression are prized virtues within the form. The Rioult group came out after an intermission to perform with the Blueitt 3, in what was billed as an improvisatory collaboration. As successful as the dancers were at maintaining their aplomb it was evident that only a very few were comfortable with the conception. Improvisation of this sort almost eliminates the choreographer, forcing the dancer to assume that role as well, and on the fly to boot.
Improvisation demands an intimate rapport with the performer that a proscenium blocks.
It also is a small scale or solo effort, the more people improvising at once, the greater the tendency towards entropy. And finally, the pleasure in improvisation work can be greater for the performer than the audience, especially if the performer forgets to build that essential rapport. The danger of masturbatory noodling about the stage is great. Improvisation is not antithetical to classical forms, but it is more strictly governed by a controlling framework. Good examples are piano cadenzas or baroque ornamentation when playing an instrument.