Key features of Jazz dance

 Jazz dance is a social dance style that was founded at the turn of the 20th century when African American dancers began merging traditional African steps with European styles of music. Jazz dance was centred around improvisation and a call and response format that allows anyone in the arts to create a conversation between the musicians through instrument and bodies.

Africa was where Jazz dance actually came from although its thought to be American its roots are from Africa. The form of dance (jazz) became popular in early America and has continued to evolve, while enriching the lives of people of all age brackets. 

Key characteristics of Jazz dance

The most typical elements of jazz dance are isolation movements, precise, leg arm and foot movements, breathe taking jumping techniques and twists. Hereby it becomes apparent that Jazz dance is a diverse and energetic dance style in which the creativity and expressiveness of the dancers are highly promoted.

Key movements and examples 

The Jazz square:

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The iconic move consists of a few basic steps, but done in a particular order. Often is done with a lot of attitude in the upper body, accenting the motion. Jazz squares can be performed and executed in groupings of two or more, repeated on the same side.

The Chass'e 

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Similar from the Ballet tradition, the chass'e is literally a 'chasing' step. the step can take on a variety of different looks based on the speed with which you execute it, accent the step with your arms to create artistry for this movement.

The Jazz walk

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This step is where the improvisation element of Jazz shines through, one of the defining features of jazz, both in music and movement , is the room for individual expression. Every dancers Jazz walk is different  as you learn increasing numbers of jazz steps and your technique improves, observe how other dancers have defined their own jazz walks. developing your own technique is a matter of developing  your own technique is a matter of letting your inner voice and feel for the music flow.

Gene Kelly

Due 23rd September