Chapter 9 from Learning About Dance textbook by Nora Ambrosio History of Jazz Origins of jazz can be traced back to Africa In the 1600s slaves were brought from Africa to America The slaves continued to dance and drum on the plantations ID: 149374
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Jazz, musical theatre, and tapChapter 9 from Learning About Dance textbook by Nora AmbrosioSlide2
History of Jazz
Origins of jazz can be traced back to AfricaIn the 1600’s slaves were brought from Africa to AmericaThe slaves continued to dance and drum on the plantationsSlave owners banned drumming
Slaves kept their rhythms alive by clapping, stomping their feet, and singing the songs of AfricaSlaves danced for their own enjoyment, for the entertainment of the slave owners, and for competitions between each other and other slaves on different plantationsSlide3
Minstrel ShowsMinstrel shows began in the 1830’sThey showcased black songs and dancesThey were performed in theatresBlacks were not allowed to perform in public
Whites performed the black dances in “black face” and performed parodies of songs and dances from black cultureMinstrel Show VideoSlide4
Black Minstrel ShowsBlacks began to perform in minstrel shows in the 1860’s They performed for other blacks and Irish immigrantsBlack minstrel shows soon became as popular as white minstrels because of the “cakewalk”Cakewalk came directly from the plantations
It “was a contest among dancing couples who attempted to outdo each other in the mock imitation of the white man’s manners and behavior”1Dancers showcased their best struts, high kicks, and show-stopping footwork
1. Richard Kislan, Hoofing on Broadway (NY; Prentice Hall Press, 1987), p. 19.
Cakewalk Video ClipSlide5
VaudevilleVaudeville included a wide variety of song and danceUniqueness and diversity were encouragedVaudeville was a training ground for performers destined for Broadway, nightclubs, and filmBlack performers continued to create new movements in line with African technique and rhythms (staying connected to the earth) – hence the repeated use of
plié in jazz techniqueJazz music emerged during this time period – Ragtime and the BluesDancers began to connect movements to the syncopated rhythms of jazz music
Vaudeville Historic Footage
Blacks and Vaudeville - PBS documentary
(caution: racial language)Slide6
The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance lasted from 1921-1933 (The Roaring Twenties)Exclusive clubs in Harlem, New York, such as the Cotton Club, were the social places to be for the white people of New YorkThe clubs had elaborate shows that featured black dancers and singers
White people came to the clubs to learn the latest dance crazes from the black dancersThis was the only public place that Blacks and Whites were allowed to intermingle
Dance crazes during this time period were the Charleston and the Black Bottom. The Charleston became famous through out the United States and EuropeFlappers – women with short bob hair cuts and short fringe dresses are often associated with the Charleston
The Charleston
The Charleston 2
Black Bottom
Black Bottom 2Slide7
Television and MoviesJazz was mainly seen in movies, night clubs, television, and on the stageIn the 1950’s and 1960’s variety shows such as “The Lawrence Welk Show” and “The Ed Sullivan Show” featured jazz dance.
Many great jazz dancers, such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, and Ray Bolger often danced on television.Slide8
Definition of Jazz Dance TodayJazz can be defined in several ways - Sensual, visceral, improvisational, syncopated, hot, coolEssential characteristics of jazz are:
Use of syncopated rhythmVarying rhythms and dynamics
Ranges of energyChanging levels, directions, shapes and floor patternsUse of diagonal, curved or asymmetrical lines
Summary of Jazz History
Jazz should not be just high kicks, multiple turns, “dance tricks,” dancers staying in one place and dancing to one set rhythm, always having symmetrical lines, and “
squareness
” where all movements happen on the count of 1.
Jazz is very theatrical – dancers should perform with full commitment to the energy, focus, facial expression and intent of the character or situation that the choreographer created.Slide9
Musical Theatre HistoryEarly musical theatre examples can be traced back to Ancient Greece and Rome. 18th century France, England and Germany also had productions that combined music, dance, and theatre.
American musical theatre has its roots in jazz dance.The Black Crook (1866) is one of the first notable musical theatre productions . It used dance to move the story along. It started a trend that is now musical theatre.
1921 the musical, “Shuffle Along,” was the first major musical by African Americans to gain national fame. It featured music by jazz great
Eubie
Blake. Chorus girl, Josephine Baker, later became an international star and helped to make the Charleston and Black Bottom dances popular.
1926, dance director Seymour Felix introduced the idea of seamlessly integrating script, music, lyrics and dance as an important aspect of musical theatre. He was determined to make the dances unified with the story and music of the show rather than just an entertainment filler.
I’m In Love with You Pre-show Dance Number (1929)
Great
Gabbo
– I’m In Love with You Production Number (1929)Slide10
Oklahoma and Agnes De Mille1943 – Agnes De Mille choreographed the dance sequences for OklahomaShe created an artistic dance sequence called the “dream sequence”The sequence added to the story line while also being its own dramatic piece. This piece raised choreographers to the same status as the director, composer, and playwright in the musical theatre production.
Oklahoma Dream Sequence
(part 1)
Oklahoma Dream Sequence
(part 2)Slide11
Musical Theatre ChoreographersMany ballet and modern choreographers choreographed for musical theatre.George BalanchineJerome RobbinsKatherine Dunham
Twyla TharpToday’s style of jazz is often credited to Jack Cole who used his
Denishawn training (greatly influenced by Eastern dance styles) to create a jazz-ethnic-ballet style that we still use in musicals, films, commercials, and television today.Cole is considered the “father of jazz”
Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins were greatly influenced by Jack Cole’s jazz style.
Balanchine – The Goldwyn Follies
Jerome Robbins – Broadway works
Katherine Dunham
Twyla Tharp
-
Movin
’ Out
Twyla Tharp
-Come Fly Away
Jack Cole
– Kismet
Jack Cole
– Beale Street Blues
Bob Fosse
– Clips of Bob Fosse DancingSlide12
Popular Musicals Most musicals are made for live theatre and then recreated for the movie screen.It is extremely expensive to produce a musical for Broadway. This is why there are fewer and fewer musicals being made every year.
Some of the most popular musicals are:
RentChicagoWest Side Story
Cats
Beauty and the Beast
-
Continued
Wicked
Lion King
Phantom of the Opera
Les
MiserablesSlide13
Tap Dance
Tap is a blend of the Irish Jig, English Clog, and “Negro” ShuffleRhythmic sounds are produced by the feetMetal taps are worn on the bottom of the shoesTap gained popularity in minstrel and vaudeville shows in the late 1800’s
Tap has a vocabulary of steps, but it is also highly improvisational
Hoofers
– call attention to their intricate footwork (
Savion
Glover and Gregory Hines)
Class Acts
– have elegant body movements and execute steps in a refined manner (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers)
Flash Acts
– Combine tap dance with acrobatics (Nicholas Brothers)
Soft Shoe
– Skim the floor and produce soft muted sounds (George Primrose)Slide14
Famous Tappers Bill “Bojangles” Robinson – Vaudeville tapper who joined the Vaudeville circuit at the age of 12. He is one of the first African American performers to have regular employment in the white theatre and movies. He is famous for tap dancing with
Shirley Temple.Slide15
Famous Tappers Sammy Davis Jr. – started on the Vaudeville stage. He was known for being a triple threat – singing, dancing, and acting. He became one of America’s most popular entertainers. His movie, Tap
, inspired the general public to gain a new interest in tap dancing.Sammy Davis Jr. and Gregory Hines tapping togetherSlide16
Famous TappersFred Astaire and Ginger Rogers – made tap popular in musical theatre productions. They also included ballroom dancing in their dance sequences.
Top Hat – The Piccolino
Dancing Dancing Cheek to Cheek
Swing Time
Gene Kelly
-
popularized tap dance. He was known for his athletic ability. His style of tap was very athletic – not graceful like Astaire and Rogers. His most famous tap dance is in
Singin
’ in the Rain
.
I’ve Got Rhythm
It’s Always Fair WeatherSlide17
Famous TappersGregory Hines - starred in several movies that highlighted tap sequences. He danced and trained with some of the best known tappers, Sammy Davis Jr., The Nicholas Brothers, and Sandman Sims.
Paula Abdul – used tap in her music videos. By placing tap in music videos, it introduced tap to a younger audience and increased the popularity of the dance form.
Tap with Steve Martin
White Nights
Dancing with the Masters
Tapping at a concert
Opposites AttractSlide18
Famous TappersSavion Glover – was a child tap prodigy. He trained with Gregory Hines. Glover developed the choreography for the Broadway show
Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk
which mixed tap, hip hop, and break dancing. He won a Tony award for this. He has tapped on several TV shows and movies. His focus now is to bring tap back to its African roots and back to the forefront of black culture. He is known as the greatest tap dancer in the world.
Bring in ‘
da
Noise, Bring in ‘
da
Funk
Sesame Street
Dancing with the Stars
Happy Feet Slide19
Characteristics of Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre Dance, and Tap Dance
Jazz DanceMusical Theatre Dance
Tap DanceStrong use of syncopated rhythms.
Dance in musical
theatre productions can be used to enhance the storyline and to move the storyline along.
Shoes
are worn with metal taps on the bottom.
The repeated use of the
plié
.
Dance sequences can also stand alone as artistic works.
Rhythmic
sounds are produced by moving the feet.
The dancing has an improvisational
feel.
The script, music, lyrics,
and dance have a strong relationship.
Tap dance has a strong use of syncopated rhythms.
Individual style is
developed and demonstrated.
Musical theatre dance can
be seen on the theatrical stage and in movie musicals.
Tap dance has a vocabulary
with prescribed steps, but mostly, tap dance is improvisational.
The dancing is presentational, visceral and sensual.
There are different styles of tap and tap dancers: hoofers, class acts, flash acts,
soft shoe, etc.
There is a strong use of varying dynamics.
Tap dance can be seen on the theatrical stage, concert stage,
and in movies, movie musicals and popular dance videos.
Jazz
dance can be seen on the theatrical stage, concert stage, and in movie musicals and popular music videos.