Jazz Dance The Beginning SYNCOPATION using the Upbeat

Jazz Dance

The Beginning… SYNCOPATION: - using the Upbeat - alternating the rhythm -“and” counts ISOLATIONS: -Using only ONE body part at a time - accents - pop and lock Truly an American art form! (mirrors American social history) • Ethnic influences- African/American • Historical events- Women’s rights, suffering, civil rights, war, The Great Depression • Cultural changes- (above), “Cold War, ” drug culture, free love, anti-government

African derived… • Rhythms • Movement: -Earthy - low center of gravity - pulsating - isolations - syncopation • Cultural identity: dance was prohibited by slave owners; this made it more attractive to pursue in silence or in private • In Africa, every event was celebrated & expressed in music & dance.

Minstrel Shows -Whites parodying blacks “black face” - the white population liked the music and infectiousness of the movement/beat = jazz music movement • Fugitive Slave Act (1859)- blacks moved NORTH…jazz is born in Chicago! • “Cakewalk”- popularized; way of making $$; black form of entertainment • Vaudeville- blacks migrated to Europe to gain acceptance as performers • 1910 -1915 -New dances emerged on the ballroom scene! -“Ragtime” and “Castle Walk” (Vernon and Irene Castle)– seen as sinful and wild but later brought into social forefront • “Fox Trot”– took the country by storm!

The 1920’s -Time of prosperity; end of WWI - public need for vaiety and freedom Flapper Girls – short hair, beads, short dresses Dixieland Jazz & Charleston- use of isolations for a social dance Bill “Bojangles” Robinson black tap dancer; known for his rhythm Josephine Baker- Broadway and Paris (“mugging out”) Great Gatsby Era- time of prosperity, wild living, party scene, and “talkies”

The 1930’s • The Great Depression: -people were looking for an escape from their troubles - “Talkies” took people into movie houses and away from live shows -Time of big band dance marathons (competitions) in hopes of winning a big prize! • Symphonic Jazz: more orchestration, easier to dance to • Swing Music: -simple music theme that used improv solos - The House of Happy Feet- club; large swing dance ballroom; operated for 30 years -Musicians: Duke Ellington; Louis Armstrong; Artie Shaw; Glen Miller; Benny Goodman

The 1930’s (Continued) • New dance styles- “boogie-woogie, ” “jitterbug, ” “lindy hop” • *1933 - 1 st musical on Broadway in New York -musicals hit the big time! -Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers • Busby Berkeley- (L. A. ) geometric design camera angles for film -obsessed with beautiful women -very simple movement -owned 3 city blocks for his work (filming studio, living quarters, etc. ) • Florenz Ziegfeld-(New York) Follies -call girls -more of a “womanizer” than Berkeley -created a showgirl “prototype”

Musicals & People of the 1930’s Golden Era of musicals began around 1933. 42 nd Street, Flying Down to Rio, Top Hat (1935), Babes on Broadway, Swing Time (1936), and Shall We Dance (1937) – just to name a few. Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers were the leading dancers of that time. Other famous performers were Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Bing Crosby, Leslie Caron, Cyd Charisse, and Vera-Ellen.

The 1940’s • Social dance was at it’s peak! -WWII musicians off to war -ballrooms closed down= jazz dance as a profession took off! -blended ballet and modern technique with rhythm and syncopation…totally professional quality; respected by ballet and modern choreographers • Oklahoma!- (1943) Agnes de Mille -new aspect of musical comedy -ballet based • Jack Cole- “Father” of jazz dance - modern trained, developed serious and refined techniques for jazz dancer (isolations, warm-ups, across the floor, turns in center) -danced in & choreographed Kismet and Man of La Mancha • Gene Kelly made an impact with his individual, energetic, dance style that combined athletics, gymnastics, and dance.

The 1940 s • Music began to become internationally flavored due to WWII; lots of cultural music influences • Drumbeat music- new focus- shift to ethnic dance styles like Afro-Haitian, West Indian and Latin dance incorporated jazz moves. (Katherine Dunham and Pearl Primus) Pearl Primus Katherine Dunham

1940’s Musicals & People Famous people of the 40’s were Shirley Temple, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers, Betty Grable, June Allyson, Jack Cole, Dan Dailey, James Cagney, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille and Rita Hayworth. Some musicals of this decade were Oklahoma (1943), On the Town (1944), Fancy Free (1944), Anchors Away (1945), Ziegfield Follies (1946), and For Me and My Gal. Popular dances were the Rumba, known for it’s romantic Latin style and the Swing, from the Big Band Era. East Coast and West Coast Swing came about.

The 1950’s Broadway embraced musicals with serious themes. It was a serious time in history– Korean War; “the Bomb”; Mc. Carthyism -there was very little to dance about or celebrate • Music- influx of new styles… “Rock and Roll” (stereos and “Hi-Fi’s”) • Elvis Presley– American Bandstand– Cuban/Haitian influence • The electric guitar!! • Choreographers: - Michael Kidd: Guys and Dolls; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - Gene Kelly: An American in Paris; Singin’ in the Rain - Jerome Robbins: West Side Story; Fiddler on the Roof -Mattox: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; Gentleman Prefer Blondes • A wave of group dances came out, including the Madison, the Birdland, the Bop, the Locomotion, the Chicken (similar to the Lindy-Hop), and the Mashed Potato (similar to the Charleston). • Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” became the new thing for teenagers. Stars lip syncing to their own songs on t. v.

1950’s Musicals & People Famous musicals were Guys and Dolls, An American in Paris (1951), Singing in the Rain (1952), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), Damn Yankees (1955), New Girl In Town (1957), West Side Story (1957), and It’s Always Fair Weather (1955). Famous people were Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Michael Kidd, Debbie Reynolds, Jane Powell, Gower Champion, Donald O’Conner, Elvis Presley, Dick Clark, and Mattox.

Jack Cole The Father of Jazz Dance • Denishawn and Humphrey trained • Systemized jazz training (taught classes) -prepare dancers for the rigors of Broadway • Show credits: Kismet; Man of La Mancha “Put a lasting stamp on the national style”

Jerome Robbins • Studied under… -American Ballet Theatre (ABT) -added to NYC ballet -various artists at NYU -international dance • Choreographed in 3 venues: 1) Broadway- West Side Story; The King and I; Fiddler on the Roof 2) Ballet- The Cage; The Concert 3) Film- West Side Story; Fiddler on the Roof

The 1960’s “Free Loving-Hippy-Psychedelic Era” • War protest…social unrest • Civil Rights-emergence of the black entertainers (Motown, Soul Train) Motown groups featured a lead singer with back up singers, including the Jackson Five. • Alvin Ailey-modern dancer, choreographer • Broadway-low ebb • Zero dance opportunities- slim to none • Early in the decade the Twist was formed, which became an overnight craze. The Twist, characterized by Elvis Presley, used hip gyrations, partners never touching, but responding to each other’s movements, brought adults back to the social dance floor. • Adults “twisted” with Chubby Checkers, while teenagers discovered Motown. • The Beatles & the Beach Boys were popular teenage heart throbs. • By 1965, there were over 5, 000 discotheques in America. • The late 1960’s brought the “hippies” and the “flower child” years with a new style of rock music influenced by psychedelic drugs and political protest. Light shows were popular and improvisational dancing made a comeback. Musicals of the 60’s were Hello, Dolly! (1969), Man of La Mancha (1966), Cabaret, and Little Me (1962) & Sweet Charity (1967), choreographed by Bob Fosse. A new wave of dances emerged: the Swim, the Jerk, the Monkey, “Wipe Out”, the Pony, the Mashed Potato continued, and the Hitchhiker. The Ed Sullivan show came about.

Mattox • Studied under Jack Cole • The Shape -the body is a line from which designs can be created -strong percussive and angular movements, accents, rebounds, turns • Hollywood: -Eugene Horing School of Dance -trained dancers for Hollywood • Movement/Style: -isolations -body shapes -balletic • Show credits: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; Gentleman Prefer Blondes

Gus Giordano • Studied under… -Hanya Holm -Alwin Nickolais -Jelly Roll Morton • The Beat -a new tap dance style -movement should reflect a person’s roots…strong emotion and inner feeling • Show credits: Hair; The Rehearsal (Emmy Award)

Luigi Born in Ohio-1925 • Moved to New York to study under Jack Cole and Cecchetti • “The Flow” • Keys- continuous, flowy, more lyrical theme • L. A. - Hollywood • Car wreck in 1946…didn’t dance again until 1949 - developed a rehab technique. . . Luigi Rehab - The Luigi Jazz Center in N. Y. to rehabilitate dancers’ bodies • Show credits: White Christmas, Annie Get Your Gun, “Never Stop Moving”

The 1970’s Old School-Rock and Roll-Drug culture • Don Kirshner- record producer, break dancing • Michael Bennett- A Chorus Line; Follies (choreographed and co-directed) -created “cinematic staging” where the audiences' attention was quickly shifted from one figure to the next • Television: The Dean Martin Show = Laugh-In • Dances such as the Hustle, (recreated from the 1950’s Stroll), the Bus Stop, the Roller Coaster, YMCA, Disco and the Bump were popular. • A Chorus Line (1975), Saturday Night Fever starring John Travolta (1977), Chicago (1975), and All That Jazz (1979). College students attended rock concerts, aspiring musicians played free concerts in city parks, and folk music was played in restaurant lounges. Music choices ranged from acid rock – electronic – to soul – and lyrical jazz. Grease was produced, recreating a teen’s life in the 1950’s. Discotheques were now called Disco’s. Breakdancing emerged in the ghetto neighborhoods of NYC as a competition between brothers. • • •

Bob Fosse • Style… created a dance style that either hid or accentuated his flaws -ugly hands…wore gloves -balding…wore hat -hunched shoulders… rolling of the shoulders -pigeon-toed…inversion of the knees and feet “Thank God I wasn’t born perfect. ” -Fosse • Studied in strip clubs…Jack Cole inspiration = Fred Astaire (sensual choreography) • The Quirk or The Flash • Responsible for new lighting and state innovations for productions.

The 1980’s • MTV-Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and other hits include “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough”, “Rock With You”, “Beat It”, “Billie Jean”, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, and “Bad”. He had distinct trademarks, such as the moonwalk, single glove, isolations, quick crossed turn, and fast jumping-jack foot action. • Boy Band -rebellious-hip- hop craze starts accompaniment - new age music, video game • MTV began broadcasting in 1981 including music videos with high energy jazz, ballet, street dance, social dance in striking innovative ways. • Artists on MTV were Madonna, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Toni Basil, Lester Wilson, Jeffery Hornaday, Michael Peters, and Michael Jackson. • MUSIC VIDEOS = decline in musicals on Broadway* - 1982 - 39 Broadway shows= all time low, $$ loser

1980’s Dance Caravans-Circuit-Competition- Tremaine = 30 years Collapse of Communism- Berlin Wall falls, US = conservative period Television- not afraid to produce shows that were controversial (Cosby Show) Musical theater’s most prominent name was Andrew Lloyd Webber. His musical hits were Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express, and Cats. Movies gave jazz dance a boost in popularity. Jazz dance appeared in TV commercials such as Panasonic, Coca-Cola, and many major fast-food chains featured dance as a selling point for their products. Popular dance movies were Stayin’ Alive (1983), Fame (1980), Flashdance (1983), Footloose (1984), Breakdancing (1985), Dirty Dancing (1987), and That’s Dancin’ (1986).

Joe Tremaine • Studied under Mattox & Gus Giordano • based his career in L. A. & trained music video artists • Keys= sharp, fast paced worth with tricks, turns, leaps, etc. • A true educator… - responsible for dance education in schools and workshops across the country -helped to establish and train dancers for MTV -Tremaine Convention Circuit • Est. 1981 - Tremaine Dance Conventions and Competitions -Julie Alder (Co-Founder) *on stage at 2 ½ years old* • He asked to be the lead dancer on “The Jerry Lewis Show”. • He was offered a teaching position at the American School of Dance. • He was honored with the “Best Dance Instructional Video” in (1988), the “Gus Giordano Dance Award” (1990), and the “Dance Educators of America Award in 1992. • He has taught, coached, and choreographed numerous celebrities including Paula Abdul, Ann-Margaret, Liza Minelli and Debbie Reynolds. • He currently still has conventions and competitions to multi-cities around the USA teaching and educating students and teachers. “The more classes you take, the better dancer you will become. ” -Joe Tremaine

The 1990’s • Concert Dance Ensembles • Ballroom Revival • Rebirth of Las Vegas • In Living Color- The Fly girls= -J’Lo- launched her music career - Laurie Ann Gibson, - Lady Gaga, SYTYCD - Carrie Ann Inaba- Dancing With The stars • Collaborations: ice skaters, musicians -Jacksons -Paula Abdul -J-Lo

1990’s Andrew Lloyd Webber continues to be popular in the musical theater world. The dance world had lost many choreographers and talented dancers to the AIDS epidemic. As a result, the hottest tickets on Broadway were reproductions from past decades. Tommy Tune became popular on tour and choreographed the Will Rogers’ Follies (1993). Street dancing, street funk, and hip hop were the new trends. Professional jazz dance was found in cabaret lounge shows, cruise ship entertainment, tour dance companies, music videos, and concert tours with pop stars. Dance competitions became very popular. Madonna & Vogue modeled dance moves from runway models. Country Western line dancing and two-steppin’ became a social event for the whole family.

Frank Hatchett • Studied on the streets… -translated street movement into mainstream jazz and refined it in the studio • The Pulse • Founder of Broadway Dance Center (BDC) • Style… -quick direction changes -strong percussive beat

Debbie Allen • Broadway dancer (West Side Story; Purlie; Sweet Charity) • Choreographer for music award shows • Style… -athletic with feminine edges • Emmy and Golden Globe Award for her role in FAME

Mia Michaels 2000 -Present • RAW artistic director • Emmy Award Winner for So You Think You Can Dance • Choreographed for… -music video artists -Cirque de’soleil • Trained with her father • March 1966, born into a dance family. Known for her contemporary choreography. Has taught for many traveling dance conventions and workshops, including her current convention The Pulse. Was a seasoned choreographer & judge for the hit series So You Think You Can Dance for season 1 -5.

2000’s to present World History - Operation Iraq Freedom - also known as “The War on Terror”. Began after the World Trade Center towers were bombed on September 11, 2001. July 4, 2004 - The groundbreaking ceremony for the Freedom Tower at Ground Zero, the former site of the World Trade Center complex destroyed during the September 11, 2001 attacks, occurs in New York City. August 17, 2008 - Michael Phelps, the United States swimmer from Baltimore, wins his 8 th Gold Medal of the Beijing Summer Olympic Games, surpassing the record of seven won by Mark Spitz. November 4, 2008 - Barack Obama, Democratic Senator from Illinois, the land of Abraham Lincoln, wins a landslide margin in the Electoral College, 365 to 173 in the election for the 44 th President of the USA over John Mc. Cain, making him the first African-American president in the history of the United States of America. June 1, 2009 - The H 1 N 1 virus, named the Swine Flu, is deemed a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. This is the first such designation since the Hong Kong flu in 1967 -1968.

2000’s to present Michael Jackson - August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009 - known as the “King of Pop”. Was an American musician, dancer and entertainer. Started at the age of 6 and continued to entertain until the day he died. Patrick Swayze - August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009 known for his role in Dirty Dancing as Johnny Castle. Was an American actor, dancer and singer/songwriter. Just some dance movies - Fame (1980), (2009), Step Up (2006), Centerstage (2000), Save the Last Dance (2001), High School Musical (2006), Moulin Rouge (2001), Mad Hot Ballroom (2005), The Company (2003) Chicago (2002), Shall We Dance (2004), Take the Lead (2006) Since 2000 dance movies and dance tv shows have exploded in popularity.

2000’s So You Think You Can Dance An American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States. First premiered on July 20, 2005. The show holds auditions in major cities across the U. S. , looking for the top dancers in each city. Dancers with all types of backgrounds are encouraged to audition. Salsa, ballroom, hip hop, street dancing, contemporary, jazz, ballet and many other types of dancers can be seen auditioning for a chance to win the grand prize and be America’s Best Dancer. Dancing with the Stars A reality show airing on ABC in the United States. Selected celebrities are paired with ballroom professionals to compete in different styles of ballroom and social dance. America’s got Talent A British-owned American “reality show”. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of US$1 million. The show debuted in June 2006 for the summer television season. America’s Best Dance Crew A “reality show” where dance crews from the streets compete. Original run on February 7, 2008 till the present. Found on channel MTV. Originated in the USA.