Editing Jazz dance

{{short description|Performance dance technique}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}

'''Jazz Dance''' is a [[performance dance]] and style that arose in the [[United States]] in the early 20th century.<ref name="Mahoney"/><ref name="WP-20231111">{{cite news |last=Wren |first=Celia |title='The Jazz Continuum' explores Black social dance — from past to present - Choreographer LaTasha Barnes celebrates the decades-spanning ties between manifestations of Black artistry in music and dance |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2023/11/11/jazz-continuum-barnes-kennedy-center/  |date=November 11, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20231111200414/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2023/11/11/jazz-continuum-barnes-kennedy-center/ |archivedate=November 11, 2023 |accessdate=November 11, 2023 }}</ref> Jazz Dance may allude to vernacular [[Jazz]], [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] or dramatic Jazz. The two types expand on [[African American]] vernacular styles of dance that arose with Jazz Music. Vernacular dance refers to dance forms that emerge from everyday life and cultural practices of a specific community, often reflecting the social, cultural, and historical contexts of that community.<ref name=":1" /> In the context of African American culture, vernacular dance encompasses styles that developed organically within African American communities, influenced by African traditions, European dance forms, and the unique experiences of African Americans in the United States.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |date=2019-11-01 |title=Hot Feet and Social Change: African Dance and Diaspora Communities |url=https://academic.oup.com/illinois-scholarship-online/book/31499 |journal=OUP Academic |language=en |doi=10.5622/illinoi|doi-broken-date=18 December 2024 }}</ref>

Vernacular Jazz Dance incorporates [[ragtime]] moves, [[Charleston (dance)|Charleston]], [[Lindy hop]] and [[Mambo (dance)|mambo]]. Popular vernacular Jazz Dance performers include [[The Whitman Sisters]], [[Florence Mills]], [[Ethel Waters]], [[Al Minns]] and [[Leon James (dancer)|Leon James]], [[Frankie Manning]], [[Norma Miller]], [[Dawn Hampton]], and [[Katherine Dunham]]. Dramatic Jazz Dance performed on the show stage was promoted by [[Jack Cole (choreographer)|Jack Cole]], [[Bob Fosse]], [[Eugene Louis Faccuito]], and [[Gus Giordano]].

The term "Jazz Dance" has been used in ways that have little or nothing to do with jazz music. Since the 1940s, Hollywood movies and Broadway shows have used the term to describe the choreographies of [[Bob Fosse]] and [[Jerome Robbins]]. In the 1990s, colleges and universities applied the term to classes offered by physical education departments in which students dance to various forms of [[pop music]], in addition to jazz.<ref name="New Grove">{{cite book |last1=Gabbard |first1=Krin |editor1-last=Kernfeld |editor1-first=Barry |title=The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz |date=2002 |publisher=Grove's Dictionaries |location=New York |isbn=1-56159-284-6 |page=172 |volume=2 |edition=2nd }}</ref> Some jazz dance classes may use [[electroswing]] music, which is a style combining jazz with [[electronic dance music]].

== History ==
The history of modern Jazz Dance is intertwined with the cultural and social experiences of African Americans, tracing its roots back to African dance traditions. Key characteristics of traditional African dance included the use of bent knees, complex rhythms, and the isolation of body parts, all of which contributed to a dynamic and expressive form of movement.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Cayou |first=Dolores Kirton |date=1970 |title=The Origins of Modern Jazz Dance |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41206251 |journal=The Black Scholar |volume=1 |issue=8 |pages=26–31 |doi=10.1080/00064246.1970.11430683 |jstor=41206251 |issn=0006-4246}}</ref> In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, black performance art began to gain visibility in the United States. The emergence of Vaudeville and minstrel shows provided platforms for black entertainers to showcase their talents.<ref name=":3" /> These performances often included dance, music, and comedy, reflecting the everyday lives and experiences of black people. Notable shows, such as "The South Before the War" and "The Creole Show," featured black performers and contributed to the evolution of dance styles that would later influence Jazz Dance.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Harlem Renaissance]] of the 1920s marked a significant cultural movement that celebrated black art, literature, and music. Jazz music became increasingly popular. Dance styles evolved, incorporating elements from African traditions, social dances, and Jazz Music. This period saw the rise of iconic figures such as [[Josephine Baker]] and the [[Nicholas Brothers]], who brought Jazz Dance to mainstream audiences.<ref name=":3" />

In 1931, [https://www.thirteen.org/freetodance/behind/behind_pioneers_b.html the New Negro Art Theatre] presented a groundbreaking recital that included interpretive dances based on Southern spirituals. This event showcased black life through dance, setting a precedent for future performances. Dancer [[Hemsley Winfield]] played a crucial role in this movement, emphasizing the importance of expressing the black experience through the art of dance.<ref name=":3" />

==Swing Dancing==
In 1917, Jazz pianist [[Spencer Williams]] wrote a song called "Shim-Me-Sha-Wabble" which inspired a Jazz Dance called the [[shimmy]]. The shimmy is done by holding the body still "except for the shoulders, which are quickly alternated back and forth". The dances that emerged during this period were the Charleston and the [[Lindy hop]].The Charleston is "characterized by its toes-in, heels-out twisting steps".<ref name="Britannica">{{cite web |title=Charleston {{!}} dance |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/Charleston-dance |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=8 January 2019 |archive-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626063719/https://www.britannica.com/art/Charleston-dance |url-status=live }}</ref> It can be done as a solo or with any number of people.

The Lindy hop was a wild and spontaneous partner dance that was extremely rhythmically conscious. When the Great Depression began in October 1929, many people turned to dance. Because of this, the Aubrielle and the Lindy hop are now considered to be under the umbrella term "swing dance stylized, continuously flowing movements that developed the technique and style for the combinations that followed".<ref name="Mahoney">{{cite book |last1=Mahoney |first1=Billie |title=The International Encyclopedia of Dance |date=1998 |publisher=Oxford University Press |chapter=Jazz Dance}}</ref> Cole's style has been called hip, hard, and cool".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/cole_essay_levine.pdf |title=Jack Cole |last=Levine |first=Debra |website=Dance Heritage Coalition |access-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219104325/http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/cole_essay_levine.pdf |archive-date=19 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Fosse combined "vaudeville, striptease, magic shows, nightclubs, film and Broadway musicals".<ref name="Clayton">{{Cite web |url=http://www.howjazzworks.com/index.php/what-is-jazz |title=How Jazz Works |last=Clayton |first=Audrey |website=www.howjazzworks.com |access-date=2018-06-26 |archive-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030810/http://www.howjazzworks.com/index.php/what-is-jazz |url-status=live }}</ref>

== The Charleston ==
[[File:Basic Charleston.png|right|thumb|200px|A couple dances the Charleston.]]
The Charleston is a dynamic dance that emerged in the early 20th century, named after the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina. The Charleston incorporated hand clapping, broad movements, and foot stamping, which were directly linked to the African origins of The Juba, a dance that originated from the [[Kongo people|Kongo]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/africanismsiname0000unse/mode/2up |title=Africanisms in American culture |date=2005 |publisher=Bloomington : Indiana University Press |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-253-34479-3}}</ref> 

Its popularity surged in the 1920s, particularly following the release of the 1923 song "The Charleston," composed by [[James P. Johnson]] for the Broadway show Runnin' Wild.<ref>{{Cite web |title=James P. Johnson: From "Carolina Shout" To "The Charleston" |url=https://soundamerican.org/issues/alien/james-p-johnson-carolina-shout-charleston |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Sound American |language=en}}</ref> The dance reached its peak between 1926 and 1927, captivating audiences with its energetic and lively movements. The introduction of “The Charleston” in the 1920s evolved Jazz Dance because it could be done alone. At the time, ballroom dance was the norm and required the accompaniment of a partner. 

== Improvisation ==
Improvisation is a spontaneous and structured form of choreography that draws upon a deep understanding of various dance traditions.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Jackson |first=Jonathan David |date=2001 |title=Improvisation in African-American Vernacular Dancing |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1477803 |journal=Dance Research Journal |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=40–53 |doi=10.2307/1477803 |jstor=1477803 |issn=0149-7677}}</ref> The act of "riffing," where dancers incorporate personal movements into established patterns, exemplifies how improvisation allows for both innovation and adherence to tradition, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of African-American culture.<ref name=":2" />

Improvisation in African-American vernacular dancing reflects the cultural identity of its dancers by serving as a dynamic form of expression. It intertwines personal creativity with communal traditions. The practice allows dancers to convey their individual experiences and emotions while simultaneously engaging with the rich historical and cultural narratives of their communities. The improvisational aesthetic is deeply embedded in the ceremonial and communal aspects of African-American life, reflecting values of oral communication and sensory experience.<ref name=":2" />

==Pop music and television==
[[File:Alvin Ailey - Revelations.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Alvin Ailey Dance Theater]]
Contemporary jazz became well known because of its television shows unlike ''[[So You Think You Can Dance]]''. [[Mia Michaels]]'s earlier work exemplifies this style. Some other companies and choreographers that create contemporary Jazz Dance are [[Sonya Tayeh]], [[Mandy Moore (choreographer)|Mandy Moore]], and [[Hubbard Street Dance Chicago]]. Commercial Jazz, which has been popular since the 1980s, combines aspects of hip hop and jazz and is often done to pop music. This style can be seen in the music videos of [[Janet Jackson]] and [[Paula Abdul]]. Commercial Jazz often includes more "tricks." Commercial Jazz and contemporary jazz are both seen at dance competitions. Another variety of jazz is Latin Jazz. "Maria Torres developed and popularized the fusion at Broadway Dance Center".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Jazz Breakdown |url=https://www.dancespirit.com/the-jazz-breakdown-2326335865.html |website=Dance Spirit |access-date=8 January 2019 |date=1 April 2014 |archive-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626082836/https://www.dancespirit.com/the-jazz-breakdown-2326335865.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Latin jazz has an emphasis on the movement of hips and isolations. It can be seen in the films ''El Cantante'' and ''Dance with Me'', as well as on TV dance shows.

Jazz Dance appeared throughout the 20th century and is observable through the media. For example, movies like "[[A Chorus Line (film)|A Chorus Line]]" and "[[Saturday Night Fever]]"  helped re-popularize Jazz Dance and added new styles and combinations. In the 1980s, [[MTV]] revolutionized dance by showcasing high-energy music videos that combined various styles, including Jazz, Ballet, and street dance.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Nalett |first=Jacqueline |date=2005 |title=History of Jazz Dance |url=https://artsintegration.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/History-of-Jazz.pdf |journal=McGraw Hill}}</ref>

==Dancers, Directors, Choreographers==
* [[Jack Cole (choreographer)|Jack Cole]] influenced [[Matt Mattox]], Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, and Gwen Verdon, and is credited with popularizing the theatrical form of jazz dance with his great number of choreographic works on television and Broadway.<ref name="treasures">{{cite web |title=100 Treasures - Jack Cole |url=http://www.danceheritage.org/cole.html |website=www.danceheritage.org |access-date=8 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326102705/http://www.danceheritage.org/cole.html |archive-date=26 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Katherine Dunham]] was an anthropologist, choreographer, and pioneer in black theatrical dance who introduced isolations Jazz Dance. She created the Dunham technique, characterized by simple lines, torsos that move in different ways, and a greater variety of tempos and rhythms than most other Western dance styles of that time. In 1944, she opened the K.D. School of Arts and Research in Isadora Duncan's former studio in New York, followed by the Dunham School in 1945, where notable artists like Marlon Brando and James Dean studied.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities |url=https://www.kdcah.org/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=The Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Katherine Dunham: A Life in Dance {{!}} Articles and Essays {{!}} Selections from the Katherine Dunham Collection {{!}} Digital Collections {{!}} Library of Congress |url=https://www.loc.gov/collections/katherine-dunham/articles-and-essays/katherine-dunham-a-life-in-dance/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref>
* Eugene Louis Faccuito also known as Luigi, was an American jazz dancer, teacher, choreographer, and creator of the first codified jazz technique, the Luigi Technique.<ref name="Mahoney" />
* [[Bob Fosse]], choreographer and film director, revolutionized jazz dance with his sexually suggestive movements. His choreography is very recognizable and can be found in the musicals and films that he has choreographed, such as ''[[Cabaret (1972 film)|Cabaret]]'' and ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]''.
* Gus Giordano was a jazz dancer and choreographer in Chicago known for his clean, precise movement.
* [[Patsy Swayze]], choreographer and dance instructor, combined jazz and ballet, founded the Houston Jazz Ballet Company, and served as its director.<ref name="Swayze">{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Valerie J. |title=Patrick Swayze dies at 57; star of the blockbuster films 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Ghost' |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-patrick-swayze15-2009sep15-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=29 September 2016 |date=15 September 2009 |archive-date=2 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002134932/http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-patrick-swayze15-2009sep15-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Hemsley Winfield]] was a dancer during the Harlem Renaissance. He utilized the black body to discuss racial identity and expression, emphasizing the unique cultural heritage of African Americans. In his 1933 Forum Recital titled “What shall the Negro dance about?”, Winfield highlighted the universal human emotions expressed through movement, while asserting the importance of African cultural roots and Southern work songs.
*[[Josephine Baker]] was a dancer who gained fame in the 1920s with her performances at the Folies Bergère, where her unique style and iconic costumes, such as the banana skirt, captivated audiences. Baker's career included a national tour and recognition as the NAACP's "Woman of the Year." 

== See also ==
* [[Jazz-funk dance]]
* [[Jitterbug]]
* [[Swing (dance)]]
* [[Tap dance]]
* [[Vaudeville]]
* [[Vernacular dance|Vernacular Dance]] 

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* Bailey, A. Peter. ''Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey''. Carol Publishing Group, 1995. {{ISBN|978-0-8065-1861-9}}
* Carter, Curtis. "Improvisation in Dance". ''The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism''. 58, No. 2, p.&nbsp;181–90. jstor.org
* Cohan, Robert. ''The Dance Workshop''. Gaia Books, 1989. {{ISBN|978-0-04-790010-5}}
* Crease, Robert. ''Divine Frivolity: Hollywood Representations of the Lindy Hop, 1937–1942''. In ''Representing Jazz''. Durham: Duke University Press, 1995.
* Dunning, Jennifer. ''Alvin Ailey: A Life in Dance''. Da Capo Press, 1998. {{ISBN|978-0-306-80825-8}}
* Reid, Molly. ''New Orleans: A Haven for Swing Dance Beginners, Professionals''. ''The Times-Picayune''. 21 January 2010
* Seguin, Eliane ''Histoire de la danse jazz''. Editions Chiron, 2003. {{ISBN|978-2-7027-0782-1}}
* Torbert, Margot L. ''Teaching Dance Jazz''. Margot Torbert, 2000. {{ISBN|978-0-9764071-0-2}}
* Nalett, J., Kraines, M. G., & Pryor, E. (n.d.). History of jazz dance. In ''Jump Into Jazz'' (Fifth). 
* Jackson, Jonathan David. “Improvisation in African-American Vernacular Dancing.” ''Dance Research Journal'' 33, no. 2 (2001): 40–53. 
*[https://www.jstor.org/stable/1477803 Improvisation in African-American vernacular dancing] on JSTOR. (n.d.). ''www.jstor.org''

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jazz Dance}}
[[Category:Jazz dance|Jazz dance]]
[[Category:Contemporary dance]]
[[Category:Music of New Orleans]]
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