Key Features of Jazz Dance

What is Jazz Dance?

Jazz Dance is a form of dance that combines both African and European dance styles.

The dance form is high energy which sets it apart from traditional dance forms.

Like jazz music, jazz dance features improvisation.

Where did jazz dance originate from?

Although Jazz dance is believed to have arose from America, its roots are actually African.

However it quickly became popular in early America and has since continued to evolve and become a dance form enjoyed by people of all ages.

Key Characteristics of Jazz Dance

Jazz Dance is mainly characterised by improvisation, syncopated steps and rhythms, call and response to music, all while featuring the vocabulary and steps of traditional jazz.

Jazz is a diverse and energetic dance style in which the creativity and expressiveness of the dancers are heavily promoted throughout.

Key Movements of Jazz Dance

Here is a list of some popular Jazz movements.

• Jeté
• Split Leap.
  
  
  
• Switch Leap/Swish Split.
• Stag Leap.
• Pas de bourrée.
• Piqué passé
  
• Pirouette.
• Pivot step.
• Isolation.
• Syncopation.
  
  
  
  
  

Jerome Robbins - Jazz Dance Practitioner 

Jerome Robbins is world renowned for his work as a choreographer and director in theatre.

He's worked on stage, film and television performances.

His Broadway shows include On the Town, Billion Dollar Baby, High Button Shoes, West Side Story, The King and I, Gypsy, Peter Pan, Miss Liberty, Call Me Madam, and Fiddler on the Roof. His last Broadway production in 1989, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, won six Tony Awards including best musical and best director.

He was known for his skill full use of contemporary American themes in ballets and Broadway and Hollywood musicals.