Pepsi Bethel, 83; Jazz Dancer, Choreographer Founded Own Troupe

Pepsi Bethel, 83, a jazz dancer, choreographer and leader of his own dance troupe, died Aug. 30 of cardiopulmonary arrest at an assisted living facility in New York City.

Bethel mastered a wide variety of dance steps and forms, including the cakewalk, boogie, calypso, Lindy and Charleston.

In the 1960s, he founded his own dance troupe, the Pepsi Bethel Authentic Jazz Dance Theater.

He was born Alfred Bethel in Greensboro, N.C. His grandmother nicknamed him Pepsi after his favorite soft drink.

As a young dancer, Bethel perfected Lindy hop steps at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Before founding his own troupe, he performed with the Mura Dehn Jazz Ballet and other companies.

In 1969, the Bethel and Dehn companies were chosen by the State Department to perform in nine African countries as cultural emissaries.

Bethel worked as a consultant and choreographer on several shows directed by Vernel Bagneris, including two productions of “One Mo’ Time,” the 1987 “Staggerlee” and the 1994 “Jelly Roll!”