MODERN JAZZ DANCE

Lindsay G. Llorca
JAZZ DANCE
evolved from early African American vernacular
dances during the early 1900s
incorporated unique moves, elaborate footwork,
large leaps, rapid turns, and imaginative
improvisation to bring an energetic and entertaining
experience
requires the foundation of classical ballet to
embody balance and agility
MODERN JAZZ DANCE
Jazz dance took on a metamorphosis during the
1950s with innovators such as Katherine Dunham,
Jake Cole, and Bob Fosse. It drew demands for
studio instructors and created a rival to the
fashionable classical ballet.
Jazz music and dance were also infused with
Broadway musicals and gained mainstream
popularity with Chicago and Cabaret.
KATHERINE DUNHAM
an Anthropologist and Choreographer
during the 1950s
she blended the soul of Caribbean dance
forms and theatrical dance together
brought a vast variety of style and ethics
to Broadway from regions of South
America, Africa, Europe, and East Asia
established the Katherine Dunham School
of Dance and Theatre right in the
epicenter of the Broadway explosion in
1945
BOB FOSSE
Bob Fosses personal style for dance on
Broadway and films are the stepping
stones to the modern jazz dance style we
know today.
His burlesque style included long leans,
turned-in knee, rolled shoulders isolated
movements and the iconic snapping of the
fingers. Bob Fosse also introduced the
bowler hats, canes, white gloves and fishnet
stockings to jazz.
His work is present in todays entertainment
with the works of Beyonce Knowles Single
Ladies music video.
JULIE BORROMEO
a teacher, choreographer, and dancer
aside from dancing ballet, she also had
training in modern dance, jazz, and
musical comedy
the president, lead dancer, and
choreographer of the Dance Theater
Philippines that she founded with
Felicitas Layag-Radaic
well-known for her wide-ranging work in
ballet, jazz, and stylized ethnic dance
DOUGLAS NIERRAS
founded Powerdance - a notable
Philippine dance company
specializing in Modern Jazz and
Showdance, established in 1988, the
Powerdance Company has a vision
of teaching, performing and sharing
the art of dance, making dance
more accessible to a greater
number of audiences, especially the
young
COMMON JAZZ DANCE MOVES
Ball Change
Ball change is a dance move that consists of two
steps: a partial weight transfer on the ball of a
foot (placed e.g., behind), followed by a step on
the other foot. This action has a syncopated
feeling and counted &1, or &2, or a1, or a2,
etc., i.e., the "ball" step splits off the end of the
previous beat.
Jet
A leap in which one leg appears to be thrown in the
direction of the movement (en avant, en arrire, or
sideways).
Pas de bourre
A quick sequence of movements beginning with
extension of the first leg while demi-pli, closing the
first leg to the second as both transition to relev
(demi-pointe or pointe), extending the second leg to
an open position while relev, and closing the first
leg to the second in demi-pli (or optionally with
legs straight if performed quickly or as the final
step of an enchainement).
Pirouette
A non-traveling turn on one leg, of one or more rotations,
often starting with one or both legs in pli and rising onto
demi-pointe or pointe. The non-supporting leg is generally
held in retir devant ('front')when initiated from fourth,
this would be a retir passbut could also be held in
other positions such as seconde.
Spotting is employed to help maintain balance. A pirouette
may return to its starting position or finish in arabesque or
attitude.
In other genres of dance, such as jazz or modern, it is
common to see pirouettes performed with legs parallel (i.e.
sixth position) instead of turned out as in ballet.
Sources:
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Julie_Barred
o_Borromeo
https://sites.google.com/site/ugadancehistory/mod
ern-jazz
http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-
on-the-arts-sca/dance/philippine-contemporary-
dance/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_change
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php/Powerdance