5: American Jazz Dance
- Page ID
- 292822
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 5.1: Introduction
- This page highlights the United States' significance in cultural innovations like baseball, the light bulb, and jazz. Often called a "melting pot," it showcases how diverse immigrant backgrounds create new cultures. A prime example of this cultural fusion is American Jazz Dance, which arises from various influences blending together.
- 5.2: A Brief History of Jazz Dance
- This page outlines the origins and evolution of jazz dance, tracing its roots to the blend of African and European traditions on American plantations. It highlights the impact of Minstrelsy, Vaudeville, and Ragtime music in the 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in the Jazz Age of the 1920s, which popularized styles like the Charleston and Lindy Hop and influenced Broadway and film.
- 5.3: Defining Jazz Technique
- This page discusses the essential elements of jazz dance classes, which include warm-ups, isolations, flexibility, rhythmic movement, and body positions. Warm-ups prepare the body for performance, while isolations enhance coordination. Flexibility is necessary for complex movements, and various body positions contribute to jazz combinations. Musicality and rhythm are vital to the genre, and stretching not only improves flexibility but also helps prevent injuries.
- 5.4: Jazz Choreography Legends
- This page discusses key figures in the development of jazz dance, including Jack Cole, who blended styles and trained stars like Marilyn Monroe; Katherine Dunham, who combined anthropology with dance to elevate African American art; and Luigi, who created a therapeutic dance technique post-injury. Other notable contributors include Gus Giordano, who emphasized authenticity and technical precision, and Bob Fosse, known for his unique style.
- 5.5: Key Takeaways
- This page explores Jazz Dance as a unique American genre combining West African and European influences, highlighting its continual evolution and global impact. Classroom activities foster creativity through choreography based on renowned figures, social dances inspired by animals, and contemporary performance analysis. Students engage collaboratively, sharing knowledge and reflections on modern techniques, reinforcing their connection to the rich history of jazz dance.
- 5.6: References
- This page provides a compilation of citations on jazz dance, encompassing historical insights, significant figures, and educational tools. Notable works discussed are "Jazz Dance: The Story of American Vernacular Dance" by Stearns and "Black Dance in the United States" by Emery, alongside articles on prominent dancers such as Bob Fosse and Debbie Allen.
Thumbnail: Dance Party (Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash)