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Jazz Dance: A History
American choreographer Agnes de Mille described the vital sprit of jazz dance as “the true
American pep, creativity, and fun” (12). The bond between jazz dance and the United States is
more than spiritual, however, jazz dance mirrors the social history of the American people,
reflecting ethnic influences, historical events, and cultural changes (Billington 45). Jazz dance has
been greatly influenced by social dance and popular music - especially jazz music (Billington 45).
The varieties of jazz dance reflect the diversity of American culture. But, like so much that is
“from America,” the history of jazz dance began somewhere else (Ellfeldt 32).
The Beginning
The origins of jazz dance are found in the rhythms and movements brought to America by
African slaves. In Africa, every event of any consequence was celebrated and expressed in music
and dance (Colby 19). The style of African dance is earthy: low, knees bent, and pulsating body
movements emphasized by body isolations and hand clapping. ... However, the prohibition of their native music and dance did not
suppress the slaves’ desire to cling to those parts of their cultural identity (Thomas 43).
Minstrel Shows
In the nineteenth century, white Americans discovered that they enjoyed the music and
dance that the slaves had created. In minstrel shows, white entertainers parodied their conception
of slaves’ lives and popularized the African style of dance and music, which depended greatly on
solo performance and improvisation (Missett 17-19). ... Originally, the cakewalk
was a social dance invented by blacks. ... This dance was strongly influenced by the Irish jig and the English
clog, with their fast legwork and footwork and minimal body and arm movement. ...
At the close of the minstrel period, the syncopated rhythms of American ragtime bands
accompanied the introduction of early forms of jazz dances. ... The public
outrage caused by these wild dances paved the way for the famous dance team of Vernon and
Irene Castle. ... They also popularized a new dance step, the
fox-trot. When World War I started, the public was engaged in the novelty of dancing in
restaurants and cabarets, which gave a great impetus to the musical craze called jazz (Hayes
45-47). ... Through the end of the 1920s, Dixieland jazz
music, with its fast ragtime beat, spread from New Orleans to Chicago and New York. The
growth of jazz dance was directly influenced by this musical genre (Dimondstein 13). ... In the Charleston, dancers used body isolations for the first time in a social
dance, and the hand clapping and foot stamping that it incorporated were a direct link to the
dance’s African origin. ... The early versions of tap
dance evolved from the Irish jig, which incorporated limited upper body movements. As the
movements of tap dance became more flexible, the lightness of Robinson’s style influenced the
future of tap dance by changing the placement of the tap steps from the full foot to the ball of the
foot. ... His recognition helped to establish the popularity of tap dance (Ammer 23). ... They found escape in dance marathons and big
bands. Dance competitions became popular, for people were willing to try anything in the hope of
winning a cash prize (Emery 20). ... Their music gave birth to swing dance. ... During this time, the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, dubbed “The Home of Happy Feet,”
was the largest ballroom in the world - one square block - and for thirty years jazz dancers and
swing musicians converged there (Emery 25).
Well-known jazz dances that emerged from this era were the jitterbug and the
boogie-woogie. ... After the basic step of the Lindy, the couples separated
for the breakaway, the improvisational section of the dance. ... The steps and improvisations of the Lindy
brought back the solo style of dancing characteristics of African dance and marked a departure
from the European style of dancing in couples (Ellfeldt 72).
It took years to capture the true excitement of dance on film. ...
Astaire created a unique dance style that brought elegance to the dancer’s image. He
blended the flowing steps of ballet with the abruptness of jazz movements. He was the first
dancer to dance every musical note so that the rhythmic pattern of the music was mirrored in the
dance steps (Giordano 56).
The 1940s
Just when social jazz dance was at its height, World War II put a stop to its popularity. ... Lack of attendance, plus the intricate rhythmic patterns of modern jazz music, led to
the closing of dance halls and ballrooms.
Approximate Word count = 3674
Approximate Pages = 14.7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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