*disclaimer: The dance knowledge section is based on our current observations, research, and/or interviews. What we write here is merely just to shed some light onto the subject to those interested in learning about these topics. We encourage you to also do your own research and search for the truth yourselves! We will continue to update these with every bit of information we can find. If you’d like to contribute to any of these sections, feel free to contact us. Enjoy!
When people think Jazz dancing, they think of “Chicago” or “Fosse” style. But the dance we want to feature here is the 1920s & 30’s style, that came out of the streets and the clubs. Just like any street style, jazz dance revolved around it’s social dances, like the blackbottom, shim sham, charleston, the shimmy, suzie q, applejack, etc.
Towards the late 20s, dancers created a more upbeat partnered style dancing called the Lindy Hop. By the mid 30’s the dancers took Lindy Hop to the next level and incorporated stunts by carrying their partners through the air, spinning and flipping as they danced. Mainstream audiences most likely know this style as swing.
While swing and lindy hop are still being taught today, it seems that the original style of Jazz Dance as it was then, has been lost throughout the years. The style of jazz being taught in the studios now seem a lot closer to ballet and modern (in my opinion).
Notable names of this era include Al Minns and Leon James, Frankie Manning, Snake Hips Tucker. I’m still trying to do more research on this. The more we keep digging for more info on the street dance aspect of jazz, the more intriguing things get!
The Documentary SPIRIT MOVES is a 3 part jazz dance documentary that looks really informative. I’ve seen parts, but not the complete version. Also check out the trailer for ill Kosby’s dance documentary, “Everything Remains Raw”. I saw a preview of this in SF and it has a lot of great information on street dance history! This is what inspired us to research more on original style jazz dance.
*We’ve created a short playlist for you to visually see original style jazz dance. These are definitely worth checking out! Note some of the similarities with the moves in the clips below in comparison to some street dances of today. Look familiar?
LINDY HOP CLIP FROM FILM, “HELLZAPOPPIN”
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To me, the Lindy Hop has got to be one of the most mind-blowing styles of any dance, EVER.
lindy hop vid is ill! good job on the new site fam!
sweeeet