Jack Cole, the “Father of Theatrical Jazz Dance”, was at work studying many forms of dance and perfecting his own style, adding influences from East Indian and African dance to his choreography.
Jazz dance moves professional#
Dancers with training in ballet and modern dance took up jazz as a professional discipline, adding a level of sophistication to the techniques. Jazz steps had become so intricate that it became less of a social dance and more the practice of professionals. World War 2 led to a significant decline in jazz dance given the closing of dancehalls and lack of attendance. He never experienced a slump and was adored across his career spanning 25 years. He was the first dancer who moved to every musical note so that the rhythmic pattern of the music was mirrored in the dance steps. Astaire blended the fluid steps of ballet with the abruptness of jazz moves. With Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong ushering in the arrival of swing music, many of the era’s iconic dances took off including the Lindy Hop, the Jive, the Jitterbug, and the Boogie Woogie.įred Astaire was a leading figure in the dance movement of the 1920s and 30s, eventually transitioning from Broadway to Hollywood. In the Depression of the 30s many people were entering dance competitions for a chance to win cash prizes. The foot stamping and hand clapping parts of the Charleston were a direct influence from its African tribal origin. In 1923, the Charleston was the new dance craze with body isolations being used in social dance for the first time. The Rise of JazzĪs jazz music spread across America, the style of dance it inspired rose in popularity too.
Their talents received more recognition and acclaim than in America, with some being able to make a living in the up-and-coming scene. With black performers being sidelined by rising white stars of vaudeville in America, many began migrating to Europe. Jazz dance and music were still picking up steam in Europe in the early 1900s. The knock-on effect of these degrading shows is still felt in modern culture today, where it is considered extremely poor taste to style yourself in blackface or imitate a minstrel show. These were mockeries of African American dance styles and music done in blackface. Related: Beginner’s Guide to Different Types of Dance 19 th Century AmericaĪfter a time, white Americans decided they enjoyed the performances put on by their slaves and began appropriating them into minstrel and vaudeville shows. Despite the 1740 Slave Act banning slaves from playing African drums or doing their native dances, the traditions persevered. This mixing of cultures spawned a style of dance that eventually became jazz. After so long enslaved in foreign lands, many Africans lost their tribal traditions and became intermingled with other tribes and European groups. African dances were practised low to the earth, with knees bent, pulsating movements characterised by body isolations, and rhythmic clapping.
The original rhythms and body movements of what would eventually become jazz were brought to America by African slaves. Many consider jazz to be from America, but as with many things – hamburgers, hot dogs, apple pie – jazz did not originate there. Like many popular activities today, the style has evolved significantly in a short time. Jazz dance has a long and surprisingly complicated history.
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