The Art of Jazz Dance
Megan Perez, Aerobics First Period, 10,22-23
*Scroll down to the bottom (before "Citations" and after "Jazz Dance Clip") in order to view other Dance Smores by Megan Perez.
*Listen to some jazz music while you read!
- (Older) After You've Gone: Louis Armstrong
- (Newer) Mercy: Duffy
The Origins and Evolution
Prior to the 1950s, the everyday dance styles of the African American community of the late 19th century and early 20th was referred to as jazz. During this time period, jazz dance was likely to be considered as tap dance set to jazz music. The years that followed the 1950s became the age of evolution, seeing as many pioneers like Katherine Dunham incorporated Carribbean traditional dance influences into their dance among other cultures, It was in this time period that jazz was first seen on Broadway and from then on used quite often, especially in Bob Fosse's work. This sparked the final steps of the evolution of jazz that completely separated it from tap.
How It's Done
Jazz tends to be a lively dance with steps that take from tap, social dance, and ballet and are influenced strongly by African culture being that the dance originated in said culture. As new music has been created, such as Charleston, swing, rock and roll, and Caribbean reggae, new forms of jazz developed.
Famous Faces
Check out these famous performers and choreographers that helped shape the dance.
Jack Cole
- Learn more!
- Watch him dance! (Dance starts at 1:55)
Eugene "Luigi" Louis Faccuito
Harold Henry "Matt" Mattox
Other Dance Smores by Megan Perez
Citations
Seguin, Elaine. "Jazz Dance." Jazz Dance. Princeton, 3 Oct. 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013