Dance: History of Jazz essay
Jazz originated from the rhythms and movements of African dance,
brought to the US by slaves. Slaves were forbidden to indulge in their
African roots yet still they expressed their African identity by stomping,
clapping and making rhythmic vocal sounds. These blended elements of
dance evolved into jazz dance.
After WWI, in the 1920s, Jazz became a part of the American social scene.
Rhythms from African music was borrowed to create forms of jazz music.
At this point, partnered social dance was the ‘popular dance’ dance of the
era. The jitterbug and boogie-woogie became well known dance in the
1930s, also known as the swing era. Jazz music and dance were
inseparable. In the 1940s, WWII put a stop to the popularity of social jazz
dance. From here, it moved from the dance halls to the stage, becoming
more prominent in Broadway shows and movies. Examples of some mid-
century musicals that followed include, Oklahoma in 1943, singin’ in the
rain in 1952 and west side story in 1957. Jazz dance had become more
professionalised.
Naturally, many of the rhythmic, gravitated and isolated principles of jazz
we see, have a lot to do with their origin in African dance. Various
pioneers have also contributed to the development of jazz. Jack Cole, the
father of jazz, developed an innovative training technique using isolations
and movements borrowed from eastern culture. Luigi developed his
technique as a result of paralysis on his right side. It is influenced by ballet
and requires muscle control and grace. Lastly, Bob Fosse brought a style
to jazz that’s described as slick, erotic and intense.
Today, jazz occurs in variety and carries principes under the influence of
various styles such as ballet, African and hip hop. It is linked with
whatever music is popular at the time. In the future, I imagine jazz to be
more affected by technology. For example, the internet, apps and social
media have already started educating people about jazz and making
opportunity to learn and discover, more accessible. Dance works will also
be more technologically advanced in terms of lighting and visual effects.
Jazz originated from the rhythms and movements of African dance,
brought to the US by slaves. Slaves were forbidden to indulge in their
African roots yet still they expressed their African identity by stomping,
clapping and making rhythmic vocal sounds. These blended elements of
dance evolved into jazz dance.
After WWI, in the 1920s, Jazz became a part of the American social scene.
Rhythms from African music was borrowed to create forms of jazz music.
At this point, partnered social dance was the ‘popular dance’ dance of the
era. The jitterbug and boogie-woogie became well known dance in the
1930s, also known as the swing era. Jazz music and dance were
inseparable. In the 1940s, WWII put a stop to the popularity of social jazz
dance. From here, it moved from the dance halls to the stage, becoming
more prominent in Broadway shows and movies. Examples of some mid-
century musicals that followed include, Oklahoma in 1943, singin’ in the
rain in 1952 and west side story in 1957. Jazz dance had become more
professionalised.
Naturally, many of the rhythmic, gravitated and isolated principles of jazz
we see, have a lot to do with their origin in African dance. Various
pioneers have also contributed to the development of jazz. Jack Cole, the
father of jazz, developed an innovative training technique using isolations
and movements borrowed from eastern culture. Luigi developed his
technique as a result of paralysis on his right side. It is influenced by ballet
and requires muscle control and grace. Lastly, Bob Fosse brought a style
to jazz that’s described as slick, erotic and intense.
Today, jazz occurs in variety and carries principes under the influence of
various styles such as ballet, African and hip hop. It is linked with
whatever music is popular at the time. In the future, I imagine jazz to be
more affected by technology. For example, the internet, apps and social
media have already started educating people about jazz and making
opportunity to learn and discover, more accessible. Dance works will also
be more technologically advanced in terms of lighting and visual effects.
