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Creator
Dehn, Mura
Call number
(S) *MGZMD 483
Physical description
3.6. linear feet (6 boxes)
Language
Multiple languages; English, French and German.
Preferred Citation
Mura Dehn collection, (S) *MGZMD 483. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Repository
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Mura Dehn (1905-1987) was a dancer and filmmaker who documented African-American social jazz dancing from the 1930s to 1950s at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. The collection consists mostly of her film works, accompanied with photographs; address books, assorted material and an artifact.

Biographical/historical information

Mura Ziperovitch Dehn (1905-1987) was a dancer and filmmaker who documented African-American social jazz dancing at the Savoy Hotel ballroom in Harlem, New York from the 1930s through the 1950s. Russian born, Dehn was trained in ballet and modern dance in the Isadora Duncan style. Dehn became captivated by Jazz upon seeing Josephine Baker perform in Paris circa 1925. In 1930, she immigrated to the United States with her then husband Adolf Dehn (1895-1968), an American painter. Dehn's visit to the Savoy Ballroom to watch jazz dancing convinced her to document it. Her studies culminated in the documentary The Spirit Moves:A History of Black Social Dance on Film, Parts One and Two.

As a performer and innovator throughout her life, Dehn continued to develop her dance techniques. In 1954, Dehn and James Berry (1915-1969) a vaudevillian and dancer established The Traditional Jazz Company. This company was active through the 1970s.

Scope and arrangement

The Mura Dehn collection, dated c. 1905-1985 (bulk dates 1930-1950), reflects the documentary and personal life of Mura Dehn, a filmmaker and dancer.

The photographs are both personal and professional and show Dehn in Europe and the United States. Professional images include publicity shots, Dehn at rehearsals, and performing before an audience; James Berry, other dances and musicians. Notable photographers were Ferdinand Boesch, Ergy Landau, Earl Leaf and Jan Yoors.

The personal photographs stem from her childhood in Europe (possibly Vienna) to life in the United States. Dehn was photographed at social events with family and friends, enjoying vacations and travels. Most of the images were not properly identified.

Other materials include several address books, assorted notes in Russian and German, publicity and printed matter, her father's passport, a pair of Dehn's dancing slippers; and two audio tapes with music.

Administrative information

Custodial history

Eiko Otake became the custodian of the collection after the death of Mura Dehn.

Source of acquisition

The collection was donated by Eiko Otake in 2017.

Processing information

Processed by Valerie Wingfield in 2017.

Separated material

Mura Dehn notebooks. Jerome Robbins Dance Division (S) *MGZMD 408.

Papers on Afro-American social dance. Jerome Robbins Dance Collection (S) *MGZMD 72.

Using the collection

Location

Jerome Robbins Dance Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

The ballet slippers are to be handled with care.