IN Chronixx, Kabaka Pyramid and Jesse Royal, the much-touted ‘roots-reggae revival’ has its share of firebrands. Creative dancer Nanny articulates a more sensuous approach.

The 24-year-old has impressed audiences at events such as the Reggae Month show in February at the Marley Museum, and Ethiopian New Year’s Day last Friday at Twelve Tribes of Israel headquarters, both in St Andrew.

Nanny calls her movements spirit dance, ‘a mixture of ballet, modern contemporary and African’. She has appeared on stage with the Uprising Roots Band and Jah9 and can be seen in the video to Jimmy Cliff’s new song, Children.

“My whole aim is to bring a balance to the music, a unique energy. I want to be all out there like Patsy ’cause she’s one of my main inspirations,” Nanny told Splash.

‘Patsy’ is Patsy Ricketts, a Twelve Tribes ‘sistren’ whose Afro-inspired moves complemented the roots-reggae music that helped revolutionise Jamaica during the 1970s.

Nanny (born Kymmone Ennis) was actually influenced to become a dancer by her cousin Tricia Bent of the L’CADCO dance group.

She began dancing at age four at Vaz Preparatory School and continued to develop through the Vickers Dance Studio, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and Royal Academy of Dance in England.

Like her colleagues in the neo-roots movement, Nanny’s objective is to educate. In her case, through dancing.

“I’d love to teach, open a dance school for inner-city children…that’s the ultimate for me,” she said.

— Howard Campbell