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The History Of Jazz Dance

Maggie Miller



Dance Appreciation

Erin Leigh

11-10-2005

Jazz Dance

"Jazz dance mirrors the social history of the American people, reflecting ethnic influences, historical events, and cultural changes" (Kraines, 2005,1). When I was younger I used to take dance. I hated ballet, liked gymnastics, and thought tap was okay; but I loved jazz. I took jazz dance three times a week and never complained; it was my life. People all over the world are familiar with jazz dance. Jazz dance is found in almost every form of dance; even the Las Vegas showgirls are jazz dancers in some form. This style in dancing is full of energy and life as well as a lot of fun. Jazz dance has a lot of historical significance and the movements are unique to the form.

Jazz originally came from African rhythms and its influences. The cultural traditions of the Africans were to celebrate everything through music and dance. During the 1700s slavery began to progress in Europe . Slave owners were cruel and had no concern towards the African culture and many slaves were not allowed to carry on with their normal traditions and ceremonies. In 1740, The Slave Act was passed banning the playing of African drums and the performance of traditional dances. The prohibition led to other forms of self-expression used by the slaves such as feet movements and hand clapping.

African slaves slowly began to learn about the music and dancing culture of the Europeans. Their exposure to another culture started the fusion of West African music and "dance tradition to the harmonies and musical structure of European music" (Kraines, 2005, 2). It is evident today that the styles of the two cultures have been fused to create many different dance styles. American dance has been strongly influenced by African elements in dance such as the rhythm and beats as well as movements. The shimmy and the Snake hips...