Frank Gatson Jr.

Frank Gatson Jr.
BornOctober 4
Louisiana (born)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (origin)
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (BA)
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (MA)
OccupationsCreative director, director, choreographer, manager
Years active1980s–present
Dancing career
Former groupsAlvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Broadway Dance Center, Up with People and Alpha Phi Alpha Inc.

Frank Gatson Jr. is an American director and choreographer. He is the creative director for En Vogue, Brandy, Muni Long, Tyrese Gibson, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez. He also is Kelly Rowland's and Beyoncé's main creative director and choreographer, a position he has held since their tenure with Destiny's Child. He has also choreographed videos, routines and live performances for other artists including R. Kelly, Michael Jackson, TLC, En Vogue, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Fifth Harmony, Destiny's Child, Little Mix, Toni Braxton and Usher.

Early career

Gatson graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1980 and began dancing for Up with People, an organization that performing at various types of venues, including 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 master's degree in Theatre and Dance. He received his first professional break when he danced in Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" video in 1988.

In 2016, Gatson hosted BET's Chasing Destiny alongside Kelly Rowland. The pair formed an R&B girl group called June's Diary which he managed. He was the manager for Luke James and Tyrese Gibson. Additionally, he served as choreographer for Disney's animated film Hercules, providing choreography for The Muses.

Work with En Vogue

Music videos

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

Work with R. Kelly

Music videos

2008 "Skin" (as choreographer)
2012 "Feelin' Single" (as choreographer and dancer)

Tours and live performances

Work with Beyoncé

Music videos

2003 "Crazy in Love" (featuring Jay-Z) (as choreographer)
"Baby Boy" (featuring Sean Paul) (as choreographer)
"Me, Myself and I" (as choreographer)
2005 "Check on It" (featuring Slim Thug & Bun B) (as choreographer)
2006 "Ring the Alarm" (as choreographer)
"Green Light" (as choreographer)
"Irreplaceable" (as choreographer)
"Upgrade U" (featuring Jay-Z) (as choreographer)
2007 "Suga Mama" (as choreographer)
"Freakum Dress" (as choreographer)
2009 "Ego" (as director, creative director and choreographer)
"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (as creative director and choreographer)
"If I Were a Boy" (as a choreographer)
"Diva" (as a choreographer)
2011 "Move Your Body" (as choreographer)
"Run the World (Girls)" (as choreographer)
"Countdown" (as choreographer)

Tours and live performances

Commercials

Source:

Work with Usher

Music videos

1997 "You Make Me Wanna..." (as choreographer)
1997 "My Way" (as choreographer)
2001 "U Remind Me" (as choreographer)
2008 "Love in This Club" (as choreographer and creative director)
2008 "Moving Mountains" (as creative director)

Tours and live performances

Accolades

Award Year Category Recipient(s) Result
Grammy Awards 2012 Best Long Form Music Video I Am... World Tour Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards 1992 Best Choreography My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) Won
1993 Free Your Mind Won
1994 Whatta Man Won
2003 Crazy in Love Won
2004 Naughty Girl Nominated
2007 Beautiful Liar Nominated
2009 Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) Won
2010 Video Phone (Extended Remix) Nominated
2011 Run the World (Girls) Won
2012 Countdown Nominated
2014 Partition Nominated

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. Archived from the original on February 12, 2010. 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. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  4. ↑ Duff, Seamus (June 6, 2020). "Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock breaks down in emotional video about racism". mirror. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 "Frank Gatson – Resume" (PDF). chokolate.tv. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 18, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "FRANK GATSON JR". chocolate.tv. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  7. ↑ "FRANK GATSON JR". chocolate.tv. May 18, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  8. ↑ Andre (July 5, 2009). "Beyonce Knowles Shows Off Her Big 'Ego'". On The Fix (Entertainment News & Stuff). Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  9. ↑ Cairns, Dan (May 10, 2009). "YouTube plays part in Beyoncé Knowles' life". The Times. News Corporation. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  10. ↑ James, Nicole (April 27, 2011). "Beyonce Is The Hottest Aerobics Instructor EVER In 'Move Your Body' Video". MTV Networks. Archived from the original on May 2, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  11. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (May 19, 2011). "Beyoncé 'Nailed It' in 'Girls' Video, Choreographer Says". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved May 20, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. ↑ "Best Choreography (MTV VMAs)". MTV Networks. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  13. ↑ Knowles, Beyoncé (2007). Official The Beyoncé Experience World Tour Program. USA: Columbia Records.
  14. ↑ Knowles, Beyoncé (2013). Official The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour Program. USA.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)