-
Popular Articles
Categories
Partners LV
Blogroll
-
Recent Posts
Tags
amount area band beginners guitar body brake drum business classical guitar collection computer drumfish electric guitar electric guitars equipment guitar lessons guitar strings hand idea Jazz Things kind level line membranophone metal metal drum Music nbsp online order percussion person playing the guitar range reason rock sort string section style time training tympan type use way WoodMy Partners Lin
Category Archives: Dance
How to Get the Best Jazz Pants for Your Jazz Dance
Jazz is a form of dance as well as a great exercise for the body. In order to ease your dance moves, you should ensure that you are properly attired. Black jazz pants, for example, are popular for jazz dancers and you may want to get some of these before you begin your jazz lessons.
Is there any pre-requisite to become a jazz dancer? Not really, except for the interest that you may have. Certainly, if you are a ballet dancer (or you have danced ballet before), you may find it easier to grasp this dance. This is true for just about any type of dance that you may care to take up. Ballet can help set the foundation for every other dance, if you will. But this is optional rather than necessary, and a sincere interest or desire is really all it takes to begin.
Unlike ballet, attire for a jazz class is usually quite casual. Therefore, you have increased options. The rule is that your movements should never be restricted and that your body (including your limbs), can be seen clearly.
Posted in Dance, Jazz Things, Music
Tagged attire, ballet, ballet attire, ballet dancer, body, class, class mates, class proceeds, Dance, dancer, interest, isolation exercises, jazz dancer, jazz dancers, jazz shoes, Jazz Things, technique, warm ups
Leave a comment
The Development of Jazz Dance
The style of dance known as jazz has its roots in the African culture imported by the slaves to America. Africans in their native countries danced to celebrate life; to express their cultural beliefs. On the journey to America, the slave traders wanted them to keep physically fit, so dancing was often allowed.
On the plantations in the South, the original steps were influenced by the European background of the owners. Out of the European jigs, the American culture and the movements of the African slaves came the jazz dance.
One of the first American professional dancers, John Durang, included “shuffles,” a movement of slave dancers, in his routine in 1789. Thomas Rice in 1828 did the “Jump Jim Crow,” a dance imitating slave dancers. The Minstrel show, popular from 1845 to 1900, was another big influence on the jazz dance.
In the early 1900s jazz dancing was closely related to tap dancing which was popular in the vaudeville shows of that era. Joe Frisco is called the first American “jazz dancer.” His shuffles, turns and camel walks were incorporated into his stand-up comedy act. With his stuttering voice, Derby hat and big cigar, he appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies in 1918.
Posted in Dance, Festival, Jazz Things, Music
Tagged african slaves, America, Bob Fosse, Charleston, Chicago, culture, Dance, dancing, development, I, jazz dancer, Jazz Things, Jim Crow, jitterbug boogie, Joe Frisco, john durang, jump jim crow, life, modern jazz dance, Music, professional dancers, slave, stand up comedy, style, Thomas Rice, United States, ziegfeld follies
Leave a comment