Jazz Dance

Dance is an expression of the soul. Jazz dance is by far the only style of dance that has its own spiritual, physical and emotional evolution. Jazz dance is a lifestyle; blended cultures and personal impressions; the connection with the music, harmonious balance between all its’ elements, and the manifestation of freedom through the rhythm combining jazz and dance. New Orleans is thought to be the birth of Jazz dance. The origin goes back to the days of slavery. Ripped from the motherland, detached from families, language and tradition, Africans were forced into slavery. Dance was an expression of celebration of marriage, giving birth, or just planting and harvesting. They were taken from their homeland, traveled on ships to America. While
Playing notes on the weak beats creates syncopation. An unexpected step on a strong beat, rather than shifting weight, is a dancer syncopating. The African influences tie the personality of each individual into a unique rhythm and create a variation of styles. The foundation of Jazz dance, regardless of the changing movements, the Rhythm, born in Africa and rebirthed in America has stayed constant. Jazz dance is influenced by the harmony in European music and their instruments. Musical improvisation came from both
The minstrel show was a form of entertainment. Performed by white and black people in blackface consisting of variety of acts and dances. The show made fun of Africans, portraying them to be ignorant and lazy. Despite the degrading aspect of making fun of themselves, African dancers were performing their culture and the original style of their dance. Soon after, vaudeville acts were born. A variety show that soon became popular, appearing in Broadway revues and comedy musicals. Social dances like cakewalk, shuffle and tap dance were among popular vaudeville shows. By 1940s, African-Americans started to participate in modern dance. From then on Jazz dance spread to ballrooms, and by1950s, it had spread to motion pictures of modern dance. Eventually, standards and techniques were developed and thought in classes for dancers to learn all techniques. The influence of modern jazz dance developed from ballet by tying its techniques of natural body expression to create an artistic and sophisticated quality of dance. Katherine Dunham a huge influencer of jazz dance – incorporated ethics and soul filled styles from the Caribbean, regions of South America and Asia, bringing a variety of forms to