The Fundamentals of Jazz Dance in 2024
Whether you like to listen to a smooth saxophone solo or an upbeat piano tune, there’s something elegant about jazz music and jazz dances. In many ways, traditional dances like jazz dance or other ballroom dances are a lost art form.
These dances enjoy a rich history in the United States and abroad, but they aren’t widely taught or observed anymore (except maybe on Dancing With the Stars). Many originated as a way to socialize, with a bias towards wealthy white members of society, according to Britannica. Even despite jazz’s African-American heritage.
You could spend hours or even days digging into the history and all the different styles of jazz dance and how they came about, but the point is it’s an art form that has persisted and will persist. So, why not give it a try?
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What is Jazz Dance?
Traditionally speaking, jazz dance is characterized as a high-energy and lively type of dance, as compared to others. It has strong roots in African-American culture and history, with some strong influences from European dance as well.
It originated and began to bloom in New Orleans (the birthplace of jazz) back in the early 1900s but didn’t get truly popular until 30 or 40 years later. This hybrid nature makes it a form of contemporary dance, too. What is contemporary dance? This genre of dance embraces fluidity and individualism. You’ll soon realize why jazz dance is also contemporary dance.
There’s a certain free-form nature to jazz dance; improvisation and non-linearity. It’s a special combination of traditional Afro-dance steps and existing European dance styles.
Certain elements like rhythmic stepping, low posture and pulsating body movements come from Afro-dance. As for the European influence, classic dances like the waltz, the foxtrot and the cakewalk set the stage for jazz dance with aspects like harmony and the use of many of the same instruments
Even though jazz dance is generally looser and more free-flowing, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some traditional jazz dance moves or techniques you can learn. More on that later! Looking for some inspiration? Take a look at who is the most famous jazz dancer and watch their moves.
Learn Jazz Dance
If you’re interested in exploring Jazz dance more, check out local teachers offering dance classes in Denver, dance classes in Orange County or dance classes in San Diego just to name a few. Instructors will take you through some dance stretches so you feel nice and limber then you’ll work on feeling the rhythm and letting your body flow to the beat.
Not only is jazz dance great exercise, but you almost can’t help but feel joyful and free when you’re swinging and swaying to the beat. Once you’ve mastered jazz dance, you can move on to learning how to salsa dance or how to slow dance.
Types of Jazz Dance
Different types of jazz dance exist, so if you’re wondering what dance is associated with jazz? it’s a bit tough to answer. As previously mentioned, there’s a free-flow to jazz dance, almost like interpretive dance, but you can still classify it into different types. These sub-groups are often more related to the type of jazz music that you dance to.
Latin Jazz
Think along the lines of Bossa Nova with a hint of salsa for this type of jazz dance. Not quite like learning how to belly dance, but this is a more sensual form of dance.
Smooth Jazz
This type of jazz dance finds inspiration from ballet and modern dance. The more mellow, softly flowing notes make it more about softly transitioning poses rather than jerky, bold movements.
Charleston
Charleston jazz dance is considered one of the most spirited types. Much of the inspiration comes from the original swing dancers, with a unique front-to-back weight shift that defines many of the movements.
Broadway Jazz
As you can probably imagine, this type of jazz dance is supremely theatrical. Similarities exist between swing dancing, tap and theatrical dance that over-emphasize movements and tell a story.
Street Jazz
The most free-flowing form of all, this type of jazz dance adds elements of hip-hop and casualness to the art form. It is highly energetic and expressive, with heavy elements of funk.
Important Jazz Dance Moves to Know
Jazz Walk
You’ve no doubt heard of jazz hands, but the jazz walk is worth knowing as well. It involves strutting across the dance floor with a certain swinging of your hips and shoulders, ultimately conveying confidence and a certain swagger.
Chassé
This jazz dance move is often taught to young kids as they begin to learn the art of dance. This move involves theatrically, but smoothly, kicking one leg out to the side. It is a ballet term as well and it’s meant to have one leg chasing the other. It’s not quite like learning how to line dance, but there’s still a kick element.
Pas de Bourré
Another jazz dance move that allows you to move from one side of the dance floor to another, the Pas de Bourré is a three-step movement that brings fluidity to your routine.
Jazz Hands
No list of jazz dance moves would be complete without the most obvious one: jazz hands. Most people think of jazz hands as wiggling your hands, but by definition, it involves extending your arms out to the sides and snapping your fingers.
Tap Dance
Certain tap dance moves, kicks or stomps are often incorporated into a jazz dance routine. This makes sense as the two styles have a lot of overlap.
While there might be a right way to learn jazz dance and the moves that come along with it, there isn’t expressly a wrong way. This art form is very much about finding inspiration in the rhythm and note changes of the background music. It’s yet another beautiful way to move your body and feel the music in your bones.
For even more fun things to learn, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
