Jazz Dance, Musical Theater, & Tap Dance
1. These American dance forms all have their roots in African movements & rhythms. 2. The term "Jazz Dance" is used as an umbrella term, encompassing several diverse styles.3. "Traditional" jazz dance, "Musical Theatre Dance", "Lyrical Jazz", "Funk", "Swing", & sometimes "Hip-hop" are categorized as jazz dance or as a close relation of the genre.
Jazz Dance
The history of Jazz Dance is a fascinating one, beginning with the origins that can be traced back to Africa.
Where does Jazz Dance take place in?
Jazz dance has a place in the popular theater, & the concert stage, in small dance studios, & large universities and in movies & television.
How was dance brought about from Africa to America in the seventeenth century?
1. When slaves were brought to America from Africa, they brought music and dance.2. The slaves on the plantations continued the dancing and drumming that was so much a part of African life.3. Eventually, the slave masters prohibited drumming, but the African rhythms did not diminish. 4. They were kept alive by the slaves who clapped their hands, stomped their feet, and sang the songs of their motherland.5. On the plantations, dances were performed for enjoyment and also for entertainment and competitions.6. Slave masters would often have the best dancers entertain their guests or compete against slaves from other plantations.
What were the Minstrel Shows?
Beginning in the 1830's & they showcased black songs and dances.
How were the Minstrel Shows performed?
Since blacks were not allowed to perform on a public stage (with the exception of those such as "Master Juba") whites in blackface appeared before the audience, performing parodies of the songs & dances of the black culture.
What changed with the Minstrel Shows in the 1860's?
It wasn't until the 1860's, that blacks began to appear in their own minstrel shows, where they pergormed for other blacks as well as Irish Immigrants.
What did the "cakewalk" do for minstrel shows?
Eventually, the black minstrel shows became as popular as the white minstrels, in part because of a section of the shows (usually the close of the first act) called the "cakewalk".
Cakewalk
Came directly from plantation entertainment. "...was a contest among dancing couples who attempted to outdo each other in the mock imitation of the white man's manners and behaviors.
During the cakewalk, what did the dancers display?
Their best struts, high kicks, & show-stopping footwork.
What occurred in the dance world in the early 1900's?
The minstrels remained popular until the early 1900's and paved the way for the vaudeville, revue, & burlesque shows that were to dominate the american stage for the next 20 years.
Which of the three dances were the most popular?
The Vaudeville show
What did the Vaudeville era mark?
The emergence of jazz music (around 1919), which was a cocmbination of ragtime & the blues.
Syncopated Rhythms
1. Eventually, dancers began to connect to the syncopated rhythms of jazz dance.2. Today, the use of syncopated rhythms is what, for many, characterizes jazz dance.
What was another thing that had an influence of Jazz form?
The advent of Latin Jazz music.
What came to be known as Latin Jazz?
In the 19th century, a fusion of African rhythms and traditional music from the Carribean and the U.S came to be known as Latin Jazz.
Clave
1. An instrument comprised of 2 wooden sticks that are hit together to produce a high-pitched sound. 2. It also refers to the specific rhythmic pattern found in Latin Jazz & that dances such as salsa utilize.
In Latin dance, what is not uncommon?
For the body to have "several axes of motion". [The body] can move forward and back, up and down, and the hips creeate possibilities for lateral movements. Latin American dance...is grounded in African rhythms, which are several layers of rhytm going on at the same time...
What was another significant time period in the history of jazz dance?
The Harlem Renaiisance (1921-1933): Harlem, New York City, was the place for all high-society people to see and be seen.
Harlem Renaissance: Clubs
1. At this time, many exclusive clubs opened, probably the most famous being the Cotton Club.2. These clubs, which catered to a white clientele, had elaborate floor shows, where black singers and dancers performed.
What did the clubs in the Harlem renaissance lead to?
Because of the popularity of these clubs and their shows, employment for black dancers were plentiful.
What decade became apart of a "dance craze"?
The Roaring 20's: Many dances performed such as the Charleston * the Black Bottom.
The Charleston
1. The Charleston became immensely popular in the U.S & eventually in Europe-everyone wanted to learn how to dance the Charleston.2. "Flappers" or women who wore their hair in a short bob and wore short, fringed dresses, are usually equated with the Charleston.3. There are movements in the Charleston, however, that can be traced back to African dances & also to dances in certain parts of Haiti.
What was happening in the 1920's and 1940's?
Jazz dance was a part of the theater, nightclub, movie musicals, dance concerts, and dance studios.
1950's & 1960's- Television
1. Television provided the public with many images of Jazz dance, mostly through variety shows such as "The Lawrence Welk Show" & the "Ed Sullivan Show" 2. Although much of the "television dance" that was seen at the time would probably appear very dated to a contemporary audience, many great artists regularly danced on TV- Fred Astaire, Gener Kelly, Ann Miller, and Ray Bolgor. 3. There were also outstanding musical theater productions created during this time for stage and screen.
What descriptive words are used to describe "Jazz Dance"?
Sensual, visceral, improvisational, syncopated, hot & cool.
What was the description of jazz dance dancers/writers Mike Moore & Liz Williamson said?
Basically, Jazz is an approach. It is ever changing, but vitality is a constant. A continual refinement is also constant. Changes in Jazz happen in very subtle ways...
What do many jazz choreographers believe?
Many choreographers (particularly those who work in commercial dance) appear to believe that performing certain "dance tricks" such as high kicks and multiple turns, will please and win over audiences.
What must both the choreographer and the audience understand?
This idea of "dance tricks" might be true to a certain extent, but choreographers and audiences alike must realize that there is more to a dance than staying in one place and dancing at one set speed and rhythm, which seems to be prevelat in some jazz dance choreography.
What is essential in Jazz Dance chorepgraphy? What should also be considered?
1. Changing levels, directions, shapes, and floor patterns are essential to all choreography and should be included in jazz dance choreography.2. In addition, focal changes and movements incorporating space should be considered. 3. The use of diagonal, curved, or asymetrical grouoings might be more interesting than presenting a group of dancers who face the audience in a symmetrical formation for an entire dance.
What is an important aspect of jazz dance?
The use of music and movement in relation to phrasing.
How are some jazz dances like?
1. Some jazz dances are very "square" with all of the movements happening on the "one" count.2. Although this use of rhythm might be appropriate for part of a dance, the use of the syncopated rhythm is a specific characteristic of jazz dance and should be used in jazz choreography.
What does the use of varying rhythms and dynamics do for a dance?
1. It enhances a jazz dance tremendously. 2. There is so much more appeal in viewing jazz chorepgraphy that brings the audience through a range of energy than in watching a dance that stays at the same energy levels throughout.
How does Richard Kislan describe style?
...the specific manner of expression peculiar to a work, a period, or a personality. It implied the purposeful and consistent choice of expressive ingrediants to acheive a characteristic manner.
Personal Style
1. Dancers should be encouraged to develop their own personal style.2. This personal style is developed when a dancer totaly commits every aspect of hiself or herself to the movement, including energy, focus, facial expression, and intent while remaining true to the character or situation that the chorephrapher has created.
Which categories fall under the rubric of jazz dance styles?
Musical theater dance, tap, lyrical, funk, swing, and latin dance.
Musical Theatre: The Black Crook (1866)
Considered to be the first American musical where dance was integral.
Musical Theatre: Shuffle Along (1921)
First African American musical, played in white theatre.
Musical Theatre: Josephine Baker (1906-1975)
African American singer/dancer popularized the Charleston and the Black Bottom, especially in Europe; International star.
Musical Theatre: Seymour Felix (1892-1961)
1. Musical theatre dance director credited with introducing "the marriage of book, music, lyrics, and dance as an important aspect of musical theatre" 2. "Colorful dances could be and speculate they could embrace, but harmonize with the story they must.
Musical Theatre: Agnes De Mille (1905-1993)
1. Modern and ballet choreographer who choreographed Oklahoma, in which a 15 minute dance sequence takes place adding to the storyline and a dramatic work on it's own. 2. Elevated the status of dance directors in musical theatre.
Musical Theatre: Jack Cole (1913-1974)
1. Influenced by the Denishawn school as well as the Humphrey/Weidman School. 2. Developed his own unique style and dominated in musicals, films, nightclub revenues, and television in the 1940's.3. Considered to be the "Father of Jazz Dance" and who's influence is still seen today.
Musical Theatre: Bob Fosse (1927-1987)
1. Influenced by Jack Cole, took jazz style to another level adding isolated movements of body and subtle nuance.2. His dancers need to be "triple threat" meaning they need to sing and act as well.3. Chorepgraphed some of America's best loved musicals including pippin, cabaret, chicago, and sweet charity.
Musical Theatre: Jerome Robbins (1918-1998)
Contemporary ballet chorepgrapher who helped create West Side Story, where dance was truly equally important to the part alongside the music and script.
Tap Dance
1. "Tap Dance is a style of dance in which rhythmic sounds are produced by moving feet. Shoes are work with metal taps in the bottom, which produce the distinctive tap sound against the floor."2. There are many different styles of tap, and it is a form that is largely improvisational.
How was tap dancing believed to be created?
Tap dancing is believed to have been created by the blending of "The Irish Jig and the English Clog with the Negro Shuffle
African American Tap Dancers
Coming out of the Vaudeville Era: the Nicholas brothers, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and Sammy Davis Jr.
Tap: Movie Musicals
Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Gene Kelly dominated the movie musicals with tap numbers more influenced by ballroom dance and jazz.
Tap: Savion Glover, Protege of Gregory Hines
Tap style emphasizes imporvisational rhythms, and who's productions bring tap together with hip hop, rap, and funk.
Social Dance
1. "Social dances are reflective of the cultures in which they exist."2. Social dance begins in communities, usually by "untrained" dancers, that find their way into the mainstream and become codified techniques, and presented to audiences as art or entertainment becoming concert dance.
Types of Social Dance
1. Swing: Lindy Hop & Jitterbug2. Ballroom: Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Samba, Tango3. Rock & Roll: Twist, Monkey, Mashed Potato, "Free-Style", Slamming4. Disco: Hustle, Bus Stop5. Hip-Hop: Running Man, Roger Rabbit, Jackie Chan, Robocop, Spongebob, Breakdance Vogue, Popping, Locking, Clowning, Krumping 6. Raves7. Flashmobs