329- (3.1) research into jazz dance technique

Jazz dance:

Jazz dance is an umbrella term that can refer to several related dance styles. All of them are connected via common roots, namely tap, ballet, jazz music, and African-American rhythms and dance.

History of jazz dance technique:

Jazz dance originated from the African American vernacular dance of the late 1800s to the mid-1900s. An early popular "jazz dancer" was vaudeville star Joe Frisco in the 1910s. He danced in a loose-limbed style close to the ground while juggling his derby, hat and cigar.Until the middle of 1950s, the term "jazz dance" often referred to tap dance, because tap dancing (set to jazz music) was the main performance dance of the era. During the later jazz age, popular forms of jazz dance were the Cakewalk, Black Bottom, Charleston, Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie, Swing dancing and the related Lindy Hop.

After the 1950, pioneers such as Katherine Dunham took the essence of Caribbean traditional dance and made it into a performing art. With the growing domination of other forms of entertainment music, jazz dance evolved on Broadway into a new, smooth style taught today and known as Modern Jazz, while tap dance continued to evolve on its own. The performance style was popularised by Bob Fosse's work, such as Chicago, Cabaret, Damn Yankees, and The Pajama Game.

Today, jazz dance is present in many different venues and different forms. Jazz dance thrives in dance schools and remains an essential part of musical theatre choreography; it is sometimes interwoven with other dance styles as appropriate for the particular show.

Information sourced from: http://www.danceconnectionrochester.com/dance/jazz-dance

Key features of the movement style:

Key features of the movement style include:

Common jazz dance moves include: Ball changes, Jetés, and Switch Leaps, Stag Leap, Pas de bourrées, Pirouettes, Toe Rises and Knee drops, Chaîné Turns, Posé Turns, Step-ball Changes, Turning Pas de bourrées, Jazz Runs, Centre Split Leaps and Illusion Kicks.

Key Practitioners:

•  Katherine Dunham, considered the grandmaster of jazz dance technique. She was a key inspiration to most modern jazz dance legends.
• Jack Cole, considered the father of jazz dance technique. He was a key inspiration to Matt Mattox, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Gwen Verdon, and many other choreographers.
• Bob Fosse, a noted jazz choreographer who created a new form of jazz, inspired by Fred Astaire and the burlesque and vaudeville styles.
• Jerome Robbins, choreographer for a number of hit musicals, including Peter Pan, The King and I, Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, Funny Girl, and West Side Story. He also directed the last four. He also founded the ballet company Ballets USA.

Information sourced from: http://www.danceconnectionrochester.com/dance/jazz-dance