Jackie Guy was one of Britain’s noted historian, choreographer, folklorist and archivist in the field of African-Caribbean tradition folk dances. He trained under the legendary Alma MockYen in Jamaica and was the member of National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (NDTC) for 15 years where he became the principal dancer, and taught dance at the Social Development Commission, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, and the School of Dance. He would later work with Bennett-Coverley in the pantomime Anancy and Pandora (1967) and the production Music Boy (1971). He was also the director of the University of the West Indies Dance Society for almost 18 years. After being appointed Artistic Director of Kokuma Dance Theatre Company in Birmingham, Kokuma won the Black Dance Award for Production and Choreography, and the Prudential Commendation Award for Excellence, Innovation and Creativity. Jackie was appointed Course Coordinator on the UK ’s first diploma course in African and Caribbean Dance delivered by Irie! Dance Theatre in partnership with Birkbeck University. He was an educator and facilitator, leading community dance projects in the UK, USA, Canada, the Caribbean and Zimbabwe. He reworked Bankra, a folk dance of great cultural significance with large baskets, originally created during NDTC's 51st season. Jackie was awarded the first ever ADAD Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the development of the practice of Dance of the African Diaspora in the UK.
