What role did Jazz dance have in its society
African American's dancing.
Jazz dancing has a very unique history. Jazz music started in African and slave traditions. It then took inspiration from tap, Minstrel shows, vaudeville, swing and Broadway. The result is that the styles associated with jazz dancing are always changing.
In the 1800s African slaves were travelling to America, they were allowed to dance in order to maintain their fitness. Such dances continued when they arrived at the plantations on which they worked in South America. During the early 1900s, this contributed to black Americans to lead the jazz movement. the result was that dances like the Charleston, Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie and Swing began to develop.
One of the greatest individual influencers of jazz dance was Jack Cole. He was a choreographer and theatre director. His nickname was “the father of jazz dance”. He developed some of the ballet-based movements and theatrical expression which have become the most important parts in contemporary jazz dance.
A great name influenced by the work of Jack Cole included the Bob Fosse. This led him to incorporate inward turned knees, hunched shoulders and burlesque-inspired sensuality into his choreography. His distinctive style is often characterized by his use of bowler hats, canes and chairs.
Contemporary jazz styles are as far reaching as ever. They continue to develop and range from elegant Broadway-inspired movements, ballet styles and even include hip-hop. However, the root of jazz technique remains in the mastery of leaps, turns, kicks and fluid style.
- Brooke
In the 1800s African slaves were travelling to America, they were allowed to dance in order to maintain their fitness. Such dances continued when they arrived at the plantations on which they worked in South America. During the early 1900s, this contributed to black Americans to lead the jazz movement. the result was that dances like the Charleston, Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie and Swing began to develop.
One of the greatest individual influencers of jazz dance was Jack Cole. He was a choreographer and theatre director. His nickname was “the father of jazz dance”. He developed some of the ballet-based movements and theatrical expression which have become the most important parts in contemporary jazz dance.
A great name influenced by the work of Jack Cole included the Bob Fosse. This led him to incorporate inward turned knees, hunched shoulders and burlesque-inspired sensuality into his choreography. His distinctive style is often characterized by his use of bowler hats, canes and chairs.
Contemporary jazz styles are as far reaching as ever. They continue to develop and range from elegant Broadway-inspired movements, ballet styles and even include hip-hop. However, the root of jazz technique remains in the mastery of leaps, turns, kicks and fluid style.
- Brooke