History of Jazz Dance in America

Jazz dance was birthed during the Harlem Renaissance.

Jazz dance was one of the many art forms that came out of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s in America. The large population of African-Americans migrating from the South to Harlem after World War I resulted in an explosion of improvisational artistic expression influenced by their African cultural roots and American experience.

Origin

Much of the artistic expression from blacks during the Harlem Renaissance was greatly influenced by their ancestors' journey from Africa and the identity they were beginning to carve out for themselves as American citizens--being treated as second-class yet simultaneously developing a sense of pride in their heritage through various art forms. Along with the music, jazz dance was an improvisational meeting of free-flowing rhythms, body forms and patterns inspired by their ancestors' spiritual hymns and dances, all mixed in with other cultural influences surrounding them at that time.

Popularity

Jazz dance was an extension of jazz music--to the extent that one could rarely be experienced without the other. The first public display of jazz dance was in the 1921 black musical "Shuffle Along." For nearly two decades afterward, more than 40 black musicals were produced showcasing jazz dance choreography. The jazz dances in the musicals spread a wave of dance crazes across America that could be seen in the form of swing dancing in local clubs.

Movement

The body movements of jazz dance could be traced to tribes in Africa mixed with European dance elements. The Charleston was one of the first and most popular jazz dances mainly due to the success of James Weldon Johnson's song about the dance. Many of the jazz dances that came after were a variation of the Charleston. The Lindy Hop, a variation of the Charleston, was named after Charles Lindbergh.

Jazz Clubs

Clubs catering to jazz music and dancing began to emerge in New York City in the 1920s. The most famous were the Savoy Ballroom and the Cotton Club. The Savoy Ballroom admitted both blacks and whites to enjoy the music and dancing. The big band performances in jazz clubs were lively and full energy, creating an explosion of jazz dance movement on the dance floor by the guests. The Cotton Club admitted whites only but often showcased black jazz bands and performers such as Billie Holiday.

Culture

Jazz dance could be considered the origin of many popular American dances that have carried on through decades worldwide--even today. It is a dance that visually marries the various cultures and nationalities that make up America from the period of slavery to the great immigration period. Swing dancing could be considered a high-voltage form of European ballroom dancing. The influence of Irish clog dancing could be found in tap dances. Latin movements from dances like the salsa were also infused into jazz-dance movements.

References

• PBS: Free to Dance - Behind the Dance: Pioneers in Negro Concert Dance
• Washington and Lee University: Harlem Renaissance: Elements of Movement
• Theatre Dance: All About Tap