Frank Gatson Jr.

Frank Gatson Jr. is an American director and choreographer. His dance routines have earned him the most MTV Video Music Awards for Best Choreography in its history (six).

Frank Gatson Jr.
Born
Frank Gatson Jr.

October 4
Louisiana (born)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (origin)
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (BA)
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (MA)
OccupationCreative director, Director, Choreographer and Manager
Years active1980s—present
Former groupsAlvin Ailey Dance and Broadway Dance Centre

He is the creative director for En Vogue, Brandy, Jussie Smollett, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé, a position he has held since her tenure with Destiny's Child.[1] He has also choreographed videos, routines and live performances for other artists including R. Kelly, Michael Jackson, TLC, En Vogue, Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Fifth Harmony, Destiny's Child, Toni Braxton and Usher.[2][3] Additionally, he served as choreographer for Disney's animated film Hercules, providing choreography for The Muses.

In 2016, he hosted BET's Chasing Destiny alongside Kelly Rowland. The pair formed a R&B girl group June's Diary who he now manages.

Early career

Gatson graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1980 and began dancing for Up With People, an organization that travelled the globe performing at all various kinds of venues even appearing at several Super Bowl halftime performances. Eventually, he worked his way up to official 'dance captain' and began to manage the show itself. He later moved to New York to study at the 'Broadway Dance Center' and 'Alvin Ailey Dance Center'. After finishing his time at Ailey and Broadway Centers he returned to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and received a Masters in Theatre and Dance. He got his first professional break when he danced in Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" video in 1986.

Work with En Vogue

Music videos
1992 "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (as choreographer) [4]
1992 "Free Your Mind" (as choreographer) [4]
1993 "Runaway Love" (as choreographer) [4]
1994 "Whatta Man" (as choreographer) [4]
1996 "Don't Let Go (Love)" (as creative director) [4]
1997 "Whatever" (as choreographer [4]
1997 "Too Gone, Too Long" (as creative director) [4]
2000 "Riddle" (as creative director) [4]

Work with R. Kelly

Music videos
2008 Skin (as choreographer) [5]
2012 Feelin' Single (as choreographer and dancer) [6]

Tours and live performances
  • Down Low Top Secret Tour (1996) (as director and choreographer)
  • 39th Annual Grammy Awards (1998) (as choreographer)
  • Get Up On a Room Tour (1999) (as director and choreographer)
  • Usher Raymond w/ Puffy “No Way Out Tour” (1998) (as director and choreographer)
  • TP-2.COM Tour (2001) (as choreographer)
  • 2005 MTV VMA's (2005) (as choreographer)
  • 2015 Soul Train Awards (2015) (as choreographer)
  • The Buffet Tour (2016) (as director and choreographer)
  • June's Diary Promo Tour (2016-2018)(as creative director and manager)
  • Brandy Promo Tour (2015-2018) (as creative director)
  • Jussie Smollett Sum of My Music Tour (2017-2018) (creative director and director)

Work with Beyoncé

Music videos
2003 Crazy in Love (as choreographer) [5]
2003 Baby Boy (as choreographer) [4]
2003 Me, Myself and I (as choreographer) [4]
2005 Check on It (as choreographer) [4]
2006 Ring the Alarm (as choreographer) [4]
2006 Green Light (as choreographer) [4]
2006 Irreplaceable (as choreographer) [4]
2006 Upgrade U (as choreographer) [4]
2007 Suga Mama (as choreographer) [4]
2007 Freakum Dress (as choreographer) [4]
2009 Ego (as director, creative director and choreographer) [7]
2009 Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) (as creative director and choreographer) [8]
2009 If I Were A Boy (as a choreographer) [4]
2009 Diva (as a choreographer) [4]
2011 Move Your Body (as choreographer) [9]
2011 Run The World (Girls) (as choreographer) [10]
2011 Countdown (as choreographer) [11]

Tours and live performances

Commercials

Source:[4]

Work with Usher

Music videos
1997 You Make Me Wanna... (as choreographer) [4]
1997 My Way (as choreographer) [4]
2001 You Remind Me (as choreographer) [4]
2008 Love in This Club (as choreographer and creative director) [4]
2008 Moving Mountains (as creative director) [4]

Tours and live performances

References
  1. "Leave It On The Floor – Production Team". ballmusical.com. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  2. Gatson Jr., Frank (June 26, 2009). "Remembering Michael: Frank Gaston Jr". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  3. La Rocco, Claudia (September 5, 2007). "For Pop Stars, Big Reputations Can Rest on the Smallest of Movements". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  4. "Frank Gatson – Resume" (PDF). chokolate.tv. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 18, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  5. "FRANK GATSON JR". chocolate.tv. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  6. "FRANK GATSON JR". chocolate.tv. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  7. Andre (July 5, 2009). "Beyonce Knowles Shows Off Her Big 'Ego'". On The Fix (Entertainment News & Stuff). Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  8. Cairns, Dan (May 10, 2009). "YouTube plays part in Beyoncé Knowles' life". The Times. News Corporation. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  9. Nicole James (April 27, 2011). "Beyonce Is The Hottest Aerobics Instructor EVER In 'Move Your Body' Video". MTV Networks. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  10. Vena, Jocelyn (May 19, 2011). "Beyoncé 'Nailed It' in 'Girls' Video, Choreographer Says". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  11. "Best Choreography (MTV VMAs)". MTV Networks. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  12. Knowles, Beyoncé (2007). Official The Beyoncé Experience World Tour Program. USA: Columbia Records.
  13. Knowles, Beyoncé (2013). Official The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour Program. USA.
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