160 likes | 663 Views
JAZZ DANCE BACKGROUND. Origins. > Found in the rhythms and movements of African dance brought to the U.S. by slaves. > As slaves, Africans were cut off from families, languages, and tribal traditions.
E N D
Origins > Found in the rhythms and movements of African dance brought to the U.S. by slaves. > As slaves, Africans were cut off from families, languages, and tribal traditions. > Slaveowners forbade drumming and African dancing, yet slaves found ways to express their cultural identity by stamping, clapping, and making rhythmic vocal sounds. > African Americans created new, hybrid forms of dance that blended elements from new and old cultures; eventually these dances evolved into jazz dance.
1920s & 1930s 20s > After WWI, jazz dance and music became part of the American social scene. > Partnered social dance to jazz music was the “popular dance” of the era. > Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson was a master tap dancer of this era 30s > Well-known dances of this time were the jitterbug and the boogie-woogie > Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire danced in many famous movies during this time
Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson The most famous of all African American tap dancers. He brought tap dancing “up on its toes” from an earlier flat-footed shuffling style.
Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire Iconic dance partners who made motion pictures together from 1933–1949.
Gus Giordano An American jazz dancer He was a performer on and off Broadway, in television, film and stage, a choreographer, and founder of his company Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago He choreographed award winning numbers for television, film, stage, commercials and industrials Giordano is considered one of the founders of jazz dance
Musicals • In 1943, Oklahoma marked the beginning of dance as a major part of musicals; choreographed by Agnes DeMille. • Singin’ in the Rain was choreographed by Gene Kelly in 1952, starring Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. • West Side Story was choreographed in 1957 by Jerome Robbins, also known for his work in ballet. • Musical theatre choreographers blended jazz with other dance forms to create dances that worked with a specific story.
Bob Fosse An American actor, dancer, musical theater choreographer, director, screenwriter, film editor and film director Growing up in Caberet nightclubs resulted in the suggestive nature of Fosse's signature style Some trademarks: --turned-in knees --sideways shuffling --rolled shoulders
Alvin Ailey American choreographer Born in Texas Trained in both jazz and modern Founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City, NY Bases choreography off of African-American struggle
Michael Jackson The single most influential person in pop culture and music videos in regard to jazz dance
Jazz Dance Elements > Jazz dance is the physical embodiment of the popular music of a given time. > Syncopated rhythm is a common characteristic in jazz music that was adapted to jazz dance early on and has remained a significant characteristic. > Isolations are a quality of movement that were introduced to jazz dance by Katherine Dunham. > Improvisation was an important element in early forms of jazz dance, as it is an important element of jazz music. > A low center of gravity and high level of energy are other important identifying characteristics of jazz dance.
Vocabu la ry Ball change: weight transfer from one foot to the other Chassé:a step in which one foot literally chases the other foot out of its position, usually done in a series across the floor or as a lead-in to a leap or other aerial move Battement: extensionofonelegforwards,sideways,or backwards Chainé:movement in which the dancer executes a half turn on each foot Grand jeté: long horizontal jump, starting from one leg and landing on the other; begins with a brush through degagé Saut de chat: similar to a grandejété; the front leg extends with a développé Pirouette: A complete turn of the body on one foot in relevé, done turning inward or turning outward
YouTube… Rich Man’s Frug http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY94NLshj5Q&feature=related ‘Fosse’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRGFF3mlK9I&feature=related My Sister Eileen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ItaESaGWMk Who’s Got the Pain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIiZuAVZH4w&feature=related Ailey Revelations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZuBFz6WYfs Ailey The Hunt http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znbpxk6Sq0g MJ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXhy7ZsiR50