This is my Jazz Assignment. Feel free to check out the rest of my blog as well. I was originally going to do my assignment on Bob Fosse, but ultimately decided to do it on the entire history of Jazz dance. I changed the names of my links and works cited, but if you click on them it should take you right to the site. Also, if you'd like, you can sign the comment box that is further down the page on the right. :)
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History of Jazz Dance
Jazz dance has been around since the late 1800's. African slaves created and practiced jazz dance as an emotional outlet and a form of exercise. The plantation owners allowed this as it kept them fit enough to work in the fields. Most of the original Jazz moves were created in this time. It became more popular with the combination of European jigs and American culture. The first official Jazz dancer was Joe Frisco (seen on left). He performed his Jazz in Vaudeville acts across America from 1910 to the 1930's. "His popular jazz dance act (called by some the 'Jewish Charleston') was a choreographed series of shuffles, camel walks and turns," (Wikipedia). Jazz was performed mostly in Vaudeville acts, night clubs, and restaurants.
In the 1940's, Jazz dance began being taught in studios and got much more popular. It then went on to the Broadway stage soon after. From there it was formed into the more modern jazz style we all know and love today. Jack Cole (seen on right) had a major role in the modernization of theatrical jazz dance. " He developed a mode of jazz- ethnic- ballet that prevails as the dominant dancing style in today's musicals, movies, nightclub reviews, television commercials, and music videos... [he] won a place in choreographic history for developing the basic vocabulary of jazz dancing- the kind of dancing done in nightclubs and Broadway musicals," (Wikipedia). Jack Cole's style inspired many of the very famous jazz choreographers, including Bob Fosse. Fosse began performing in the late 1940's. The famous musical Kiss Me Kate was one of his first screen appearances in 1953.
It was this scene that Bob Fosse (seen on left) choreographed in Kiss Me Kate that began his choreography career. He choreographed his first full show in 1954 and began directing as well in 1960. "Fosse developed a jazz dance style that was immediately recognizable, exuding a stylized, cynical sexuality. Other notable distinctions of his style included the use of turned-in knees, sideways shuffling, and rolled shoulders," (Wikipedia). There are many memorable Fosse- oriented musicals, but the most memorable are Chicago, Pippin, Cabaret and All That Jazz, which is semi- auto biographical. Unfortunately, in 1987, Bob Fosse died of a heart attack. He has since been honoured for his contribution to theatre and dance by way of many Tony Awards, Academy Awards, and Emmy Awards. There is also a Broadway show called Fosse and a documentary on his dance contributions. Jazz dance is the currently the most common form of dance offered in any studio and the most used form of dance in any musical production. Many teachers believe that having a strong classical ballet background is an asset to jazz dance as it allows for the strength needed to perform.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Works Cited
