Introduction
This website serves as a platform for us to post assignments for our project (Jazz dance style) for the class Big Chicago: Dance, Sex, and Popular Culture.
Jazz is a sexualized form of dance which originated in New Orleans in the early 1900's. Known for elements such as its low center of gravity and high levels of energy, it's not uncommon that people would think of it this way. Lots of the movements radiate from the core and or pubic bone and isolations in this dance style are very common. That is to say that the body moves in a very disjointed but fluid manner. These isolations were introduced to the form by dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham; a Chicago native who was heavily involved in the study of dance anthropology and used that information to guide her technique. She was known as the "matriarch and queen mother of black dance"; a fitting title for her work in the Jazz dance form and other areas of the dancing craft. Jazz was brought to Chicago during the great migration of African Americans from the south and is a very loose type of dance; where the dancers fling their bodies about and feel the music rather than following the music. Jazz within the city has had a very strong cultural influence on both Artists and citizens of Chicago. It was typically preformed on the streets and in various neighborhoods but eventually became a popular professional dance form. Here at Columbia College Chicago, there is a program for a Jazz Ensemble. Though this is a platform for music, Jazz dancing became very popular as well. - Natalie Moyer, Krystal Turner, Cam Osterman, Greg Zola |
A beautiful example of modern jazz music that amplifies the style and technique of Jazz Dance.
A Little Party Never Killed Nobody by Fergie - Song from The Great Gatsby Movie (2013) which portrayed the 1920's style of dance with a modern twist. |
Demographics
The "history of jazz dance" is a term fist applied to the style of music and dance during World War I. Jazz dance originates from the vernacular dance of the Africans who were brought to America on slave ships. This vernacular dance, and later the vernacular music, translated into blues. Blues as it was performed back then became the foundation of jazz and lots of other forms of music like rhythm and blues (R&B), rock-n-roll and country music. Jazz as we know it today however, is rumored to have originated throughout the late 1880's up until the mid-1900's. In the mid-1950's, jazz dance was referred to as a "high top" dance because of the music and how popular the main performance of the era was. Throughout the 18th and 19th century, diverse ethnic and racial groups like the French, Spanish, African, Italian, German and Irish found a common love in the art of jazz. Jazz has been a part of a proud African American tradition that has been shared with other cultures for over 100 years. Jazz has its roots planted in American cities of New Orleans, Chicago, and New York city. The jazz influence of dance and the music still has positive effects on the youth and media today and is still performed by all cultures and ethnic backgrounds. - Kayla Kurns
edited by Krystal Turner
edited by Krystal Turner
Jazz in Chicago
Jazz is well known in Chicago. There are a lot of places you can find jazz music and jazz dancing. Some places that are popular to listen to jazz music are Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Andy's Jazz Club, and Jazz Showcase. Those places have great reviews about the music. For jazz dancing some places you can go to are Giordano Dance Chicago, Gus Giordano Dance, and Jump Rhythm Jazz Project. Map locations for the dance venues correspond left to right. - Stefanie Farfan
edited by Krystal Turner
edited by Krystal Turner
Jazz Today
As of today, jazz is still known as a required dance you need to learn as a dancer. Jazz is also becoming into a new Broadway style. Now jazz dances are used more Broadway shows and movies. There are other shows that you can see jazz dances today on tv. They are " So You Think You Can Dance or Dance Moms." There are also seen in music videos and in different venues. In Las Vegas there are a lot of showgirls who are jazz dancers. Today some studios are trying to focus more or less on the style of jazz. This style of dance is an art form that keeps on growing and growing. One famous jazz choreographer known as of today is Mia Michaels. She has choreographed amazing jazz routines in So You Think You Can Dance. Jazz is an amazing style that keeps on spreading across the world and won't be going any where. - Stephanie Farfan