Jazz Dance

HISTORY OF JAZZ DANCE

  • Jazz Dance has its roots in African dance traditions, brought to America with the slave trade.

  • These dance forms were blended with European dance styles during the 17th to 19th centuries.

  • The fusion of these styles eventually formed the basis for modern Jazz Dance.

  • As a social dance, Jazz Dance was influenced by popular trends, often seen in cabarets, vaudeville, and Broadway.

CHARACTERISTICS OF JAZZ DANCE

  • Jazz Dance is recognised by its energy, innovation and rhythmic variety.

  • It typically uses syncopated rhythms, introducing unexpected beats.

  • Movements are usually sharp and dynamic, with a high level of technical skill required, though there is also room for improvisation.

  • Jazz Dance has a strong performance element, often involving complex lifts and partner work.

EXAMPLES OF JAZZ STYLES

  • Swing dance is one of the early forms of Jazz Dance, popular during the 1920s-40s.

  • Modern jazz, influenced by many other forms of dance, is often seen on the commercial stage.

  • Hip hop, with its emphasis on percussive movements and street dance, is a contemporary form of Jazz Dance.

KEY PRACTITIONERS

  • Jack Cole is often referred to as the ‘father of jazz dance’, creating theatrical and dramatic jazz dance styles.

  • Bob Fosse developed a unique jazz style, featuring isolated movements and highlighting unique body shapes.

  • Alvin Ailey adapted modern dance techniques into jazz movements in his work.

IMPACT OF JAZZ DANCE

  • Jazz Dance has significantly influenced the development of musical theatre, shaping the choreography of many Broadway shows.

  • It also has shaped the stylistic elements of contemporary dance.

  • Jazz Dance has led to the creation of new forms of dance, such as hip hop.

STUDYING JAZZ DANCE

  • Analyse successful practitioners, their movement style, their influences, and the historical and social context of their work.

  • Break down the elements of jazz dance: rhythm, body shapes, steps and movements.

  • Critically evaluate choreographed jazz sequences, acknowledging their creation in relation to audience reception and interpretation.

INFLUENCE OF JAZZ DANCE

  • Even though the popularity and style of Jazz Dance have evolved over time, its spirit of creativity and syncopation remains a bedrock of many dance styles.

  • Many dance schools offer jazz classes, teaching elements of Jazz Dance to generations of dancers.

  • The lasting impact of Jazz Dance is visible in contemporary pop culture, such as in popular dance films and music videos.