JAZZ

DANCE
 INTRODUCTION

• Jazz dance is a dynamic and energetic dance form that evolved

alongside the jazz music genre. Originating in the early 20th century,
it has roots in African, Caribbean, and European dance styles.

• Jazz dance incorporates a variety of movements, including isolations,

syncopated rhythms, and improvisation. Common steps include kicks,
turns, leaps, and isolations of different body parts. It's known for its
versatility and can be seen in various styles, from Broadway
performances to music videos.
 HISTORY
• Roots (Late 19th to Early 20th Century): Originating from African and
African-American dance traditions, jazz dance began to influence
entertainment forms like minstrel shows.
• Jazz Age (1920s to 1930s): Flourishing during the Harlem
Renaissance, jazz dance incorporated social dances of the time,
becoming a defining element of the Roaring Twenties.
• Golden Era (1940s to 1950s): Jazz dance gained prominence in
Hollywood musicals and Broadway productions, led by choreographers
like Jack Cole and Bob Fosse, elevated jazz dance with technical
precision and innovation.
 KEY CHARACTERISTICS
• Isolations: Jazz dance ofte n involves isola ting different parts of the body,
creating distinct move ments in isolation or coordina tion.
• Syncopation: Danc ers fre quently use syncopa ted rhythms, pla ying with
offbeat ac cents to add flair and e xcitement to the ir move ments.
• Contractions a nd Re leases: Danc ers use c ontra ctions (shortening muscles)
and releases (lengthening muscles) to cre ate dynamic a nd expressive
movements.
• Kicks and Le aps: High kicks, leaps, and jumps a re common ele ments,
showcasing the dance rs' a thleticism and agility.
• Turns and Spins: Jaz z da nce inc ludes various turning moveme nts, a dding a
sense of fluidity a nd gra ce to the choreography.
 DIFFERENT STYLES

• Broadway Jazz: Often seen in musical theater productions,

combining traditional jazz techniques with storytelling and
theatrical elements.
• Contemporary Jazz: Blending traditional jazz with modern
dance elements, emphasizing emotional expression and
individual interpretation.
• Lyrical Jazz: Fusing jazz techniques with the fluidity of
lyrical dance, focusing on expressing the emotions of the
music through movement.
 DANCE STEPS
• Chasse: A step in which one foot chases the other,
creating a gliding movement.
• Pirouette: A turn on one leg, often with the other leg
raised in a passé position.
• Jazz Square: A four-step movement that creates a square
pattern on the floor.
• Fan Kick: A dramatic kick where the leg opens in a
sweeping m otion, resembling the opening of a fan.
• Battem ent: A high kick or extension of the leg,
showcasing flexibility and strength.
 DANCE STEPS
• Jazz Hands: Open hands with fingers splayed, adding
expressive flair to movements
• Pas de Bourrée: A quick and intricate step involving
three sm all steps
• Kick Ball Change: A quick weight transfer step often
used to change direction or add dynamic accents
• Leap/Tour Jeté: A large jump from one foot to the other,
often done with a split in mid-air
 DANCE STEPS

• Grapevine: A sidestepping movement, often with a

crossing pattern, resembling the growth pattern of
grapevines.
• Hinge Roll: A rolling movement of the hips, creating a
fluid and dynamic effect.
• Fouetté Turn: A turning movement where one leg is
extended and whips around the body.
CHOREOGRAPHERS & INNOVATORS

JACK COLE (Father of jazz dance)

Dani Martinez
In the 1930s, this popular jazz dancer started
to include African and East Indian dance
moves into his dance choreography. This led
to Mr. Cole becoming a major influence for
Drew Feig
many jazz performers of the 20th century.
CHOREOGRAPHERS & INNOVATORS

BOB FOSSE
Dani Martinez
Considered the most influential innovator of
jazz dance, Bob Fosse created a technique that
merged elegance and burlesque with a bit of
quirkiness. You may know him for his
Drew Feig
choreography in Chicago, Sweet Charity,
Pippin, Cabaret, Kiss Me Kate, or the Pajama
Games.
CHOREOGRAPHERS & INNOVATORS

This Chicago jazz dancer is known for creating

precise and clean dance moves. Gus Giordano's
Dani Martinez
dedication to jazz dance exhibited itself in all facets
of his extraordinary life: dancer, master teacher,
choreographer, author, and founder of the Giordano
Dance School (GDS) in Evanston, Illinois, founder
Drew Feig
of the dance company Giordano Dance Chicago and
founder of Jazz Dance World Congress.

GUS GIORDANO
CHOREOGRAPHERS & INNOVATORS

KATHERINE DUNHAM
Dani Martinez
Besides being a dance choreographer, she was
also an anthropologist. This woman was one of
the first pioneers in black theatrical stage
dance.She was a pioneer in the use of folk and
Drew Feig
ethnic choreography and one of the founders of
the anthropological dance movement.
THANK YOU