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    The History of Jazz Dance

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    Ryan Vega
    Jazz dance originated in African American communities in the late 19th century, developing from African dance traditions and incorporating elements of European dance. [1] It first appeared in minstrel shows, which popularized but also dehumanized aspects of black culture. [2] In the early 20th century, jazz dance emerged as a legitimate art form featured on Broadway, in vaudeville, and in nightclubs. [3]

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    The History of Jazz Dance

    Uploaded by

    Ryan Vega
    24 views9 pages
    Jazz dance originated in African American communities in the late 19th century, developing from African dance traditions and incorporating elements of European dance. [1] It first appeared in minstrel shows, which popularized but also dehumanized aspects of black culture. [2] In the early 20th century, jazz dance emerged as a legitimate art form featured on Broadway, in vaudeville, and in nightclubs. [3]

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    Jazz dance originated in African American communities in the late 19th century, developing from African dance traditions and incorporating elements of European dance. [1] It first appeared in minstrel shows, which popularized but also dehumanized aspects of black culture. [2] In the early 20th century, jazz dance emerged as a legitimate art form featured on Broadway, in vaudeville, and in nightclubs. [3]

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    24 views9 pages

    The History of Jazz Dance

    Uploaded by

    Ryan Vega
    Jazz dance originated in African American communities in the late 19th century, developing from African dance traditions and incorporating elements of European dance. [1] It first appeared in minstrel shows, which popularized but also dehumanized aspects of black culture. [2] In the early 20th century, jazz dance emerged as a legitimate art form featured on Broadway, in vaudeville, and in nightclubs. [3]

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 9

    The History of Jazz Dance

    Ry Vega
    Introduction
    Jazz dance is a genre of dance that originated
    in the African-American communities of the
    United States in the late 19th and early 20th
    centuries.
    It developed from African dance traditions
    and European dance forms, and it has since
    become a global form of dance.
    This presentation will explore the history of
    jazz dance, from its early beginnings to its
    current popularity.
    African Dance Traditions
    The roots of jazz dance can be traced back to the
    African slaves who were brought to the Americas
    in the 16th century.

    These slaves brought with them their own unique


    dance traditions, which were influenced by the
    music and dance of their native cultures.

    These African dance traditions were characterized


    by their improvisational nature, their use of
    syncopated rhythms, and their emphasis on
    movement from the torso.
    Minstrel Shows
    The first jazz dance performances took place in the late 19th
    century in minstrel shows, which were popular entertainments that
    featured white actors in blackface performing exaggerated versions
    of African-American culture.

    Minstrel shows were a major influence on the development of jazz


    dance, and they popularized the new dance style among
    predominantly white audiences.

    The sheer racism present in minstrel shows cannot be stressed


    enough, with the shows often being used to dehumanize black
    people purely for the entertainment of white audiences.
    Furthermore, if black people wanted to perform in front of white
    audiences they would also be forced to wear blackface and
    exaggerate their culture just for the comfort of white onlookers. It’s
    a tragic but incredibly important to note as a part of the history of
    Jazz, and just as a part of american history in general
    An Emerging Art-Form
    In the early 20th century, jazz dance began to
    emerge as a legitimate art form, and it was
    featured in Broadway musicals, vaudeville
    shows, and nightclubs.
    Some of the most famous jazz dancers of this
    era include Josephine Baker, Bill "Bojangles"
    Robinson, and Katherine Dunham.
    These dancers helped to bring jazz dance to
    the mainstream, and they paved the way for
    future generations of jazz dancers.
    The Harlem Renaissance
    During the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and
    1930s, jazz dance flourished.

    This was a time of great cultural and artistic


    innovation in African-American communities, and jazz
    dance was a central part of this movement.

    Some of the most famous jazz dancers of this era


    include Florence Mills, Paul Robeson, and Ethel
    Waters.

    These dancers helped to make jazz dance a symbol of


    African-American pride and creativity.
    Hollywood Films and Television Shows
    In the 1940s and 1950s, jazz dance continued to evolve.

    It became more acrobatic and athletic, and it began to


    be used in Hollywood films and television shows.

    Some of the most famous jazz dancers of this era


    include Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Shirley Temple.

    These dancers helped to popularize jazz dance among


    a wider audience, and they helped to make it a staple
    of American popular culture.
    Experimental and Improvisational Jazz Dance
    In the 1960s and 1970s, jazz dance became more
    experimental and improvisational.

    It was influenced by other dance forms, such as modern


    dance and ballet, and it began to be used in a variety of
    settings, such as concerts, dance festivals, and community
    events.

    Some of the most famous jazz dancers of this era include


    Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham.

    These dancers helped to push the boundaries of jazz dance,


    and they paved the way for future generations of jazz
    dancers.
    Contemporary Jazz Dance
    Today, jazz dance is a global form of
    dance.
    It is taught in studios and schools all over
    the world, and it is enjoyed by people of
    all ages and backgrounds.
    Jazz dance is a dynamic and expressive art
    form that continues to evolve and grow.

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