The History of Street Jazz Dance

Street jazz dance evolved from the hip hop dance culture.

Improvisational in nature, street jazz dance stems from modern-day dance styles, like hip hop, breakdancing, funk and electronic dance. Elements of the rigid robotic movements, the marked spins often found in breakdancing and the fluid movements of hip hop are found in the street jazz dance culture.



Often, street dance encourages dancers to interact with other dancers and even the audience. Street jazz dance emerged from an amalgamation of modern dance styles that were performed in nontraditional settings.

History

Street jazz dance evolved from informal dancing often done in informal settings in nightclubs, schools and on the street. Street jazz dance was inspired by traditional dance performed outside of professional studios.

Significance

Jazz dance, modern hip hop and funk make up street jazz dance. In fact, the hip hop and funk dance styles that appeared on dance scenes in the 1970s inspired the development of today's street jazz dance.

Types

Considered by some as a sub-dance style or variation of hip hop, street jazz dance has several forms: hip hop, jazz dance, broadway dance, breakdancing and contemporary dance.

Features

Urban styles, such as elements of breakdance, tecktoniks, and other dance forms, are featured in street jazz dance.

Identification

Street jazz dance can be identified by performers' fast and intricate footwork, refined spins and acrobatic flips and moves. Inspired by modern hip hop, street jazz dance resembles this original street style.

References

• Dance Tutors: The History of Jazz Dancing
• American Dance Training Camp: History of Street Jazz Dance
• Tom-John.com: Street Jazz Dance