Jazz dance is a uniquely American art form that has its roots in the African-American community but has grown to incorporate a wide range of influences and styles from around the world. For parents of young children, exposing your child to the rich history and diverse techniques of jazz dance is an excellent way to inspire a lifelong love of movement, creativity, and self-expression. In this blog post, we'll take a deep dive into the history and evolution of jazz dance, and explore how you can help your child discover the joy of dancing through jazz.
While the origins of jazz dance can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the true roots of this dance form go back even further. African dance, with its emphasis on rhythm, polyrhythms, and improvisation, played a significant role in the development of jazz dance, as enslaved Africans brought their cultural traditions with them to the Americas.
One particularly influential African dance style is the Ring Shout, a group dance that involved moving in a circle, clapping, and stomping out rhythms with the feet. This dance, along with others from West African traditions, laid the groundwork for the syncopated rhythms and body isolations that would later become synonymous with jazz dance.
Jazz dance as we know it today began to take shape in the early 1900s, as African-American performers on the vaudeville and minstrel show circuits began to incorporate elements of their cultural heritage into their routines. This blending of African dance with European dance styles and theatrical performance created an exciting new form of entertainment that was uniquely American.
One of the earliest jazz dance styles to emerge from this period was the Cakewalk, a competitive dance that originated among enslaved African-Americans on Southern plantations. The Cakewalk involved exaggerated movements and high-stepping, as dancers parodied the formal ballroom dances of their white enslavers. The Cakewalk soon made its way into popular culture, and by the turn of the century, it was a staple of vaudeville and minstrel shows across the country.
The 1920s were a time of great change and innovation in American popular culture, and jazz dance was no exception. As jazz music exploded in popularity, so too did the dance styles associated with it. The Charleston, a high-energy dance characterized by its flapping arms and kicking legs, became the dance craze of the decade. Meanwhile, the Black Bottom, named after a neighborhood in Detroit, brought a sassy and syncopated style to the dance floor.
During this time, the legendary choreographer and dancer Josephine Baker emerged as a major force in jazz dance. Baker's iconic performances, which combined her incredible athleticism with a sense of humor and playfulness, helped to solidify jazz dance as a wildly popular and influential art form.
The 1930s through the 1950s are often referred to as the "Golden Age" of jazz dance, as this period saw the development of many of the styles and techniques that would come to define the genre. The rise of big band music and swing dancing in the 1930s led to the creation of the Lindy Hop, a fast-paced, acrobatic dance that remains popular to this day.
In addition to the development of new dance styles, this period saw the emergence of some of the most influential jazz dancers and choreographers in history. Katherine Dunham, a dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist, brought her extensive knowledge of African and Caribbean dance traditions to the mainstream, creating a fusion of styles that would come to be known as the Dunham Technique. Jack Cole, often referred to as the "Father of Theatrical Jazz Dance," developed a style that combined elements of ballet, modern dance, and ethnic dance, and his work laid the groundwork for many future jazz dance greats, such as Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins.
While the Golden Age of jazz dance may have technically ended in the 1950s, the art form has continued to evolve and change over the past several decades. In the 1960s and 1970s, choreographers such as Gus Giordano and Matt Mattox developed new styles and techniques that reflected the growing influence of modern dance and ballet. Meanwhile, the emergence of funk and hip-hop music in the 1980s and 1990s inspired a new generation of jazz dancers, who incorporated these new sounds and styles into their work.
Today, jazz dance is a diverse and dynamic art form that continues to evolve and change with the times. From its African roots to its modern-day incarnations, jazz dance offers a rich tapestry of movement and expression for young dancers to explore and enjoy.
As parents, one of the best ways to inspire your child's love of dance is to expose them to the rich history and diverse styles of jazz dance. By learning about the great dancers and choreographers of the past, as well as the ongoing evolution of the art form, your child can develop a deep appreciation for the creativity, skill, and passion that goes into jazz dance.
At Intune Dance and Movement, we are dedicated to helping young dancers discover the joy and excitement of jazz dance. Our experienced instructors are well-versed in the history and techniques of this dynamic art form, and they are passionate about sharing their love of jazz dance with the next generation of dancers. If you're ready to introduce your child to the world of jazz dance, we invite you to get in touch with us at [email protected] to book their first jazz dance classes. Let's inspire the next generation of young dancers together!
