Jack Cole: The Father Of Jazz Dance

Until the middle of the 1950’s “Jazz dance” was more commonly referred to as tap dance due to tap being performed to jazz music.

The world has always had dance. Whether it be as a form of worship, recreation, work or ritual, people have used movement to express their values and beliefs since the beginning of time. Throughout the years, dance has changed and grown and and taken on many forms of art as different choreographers bring their innovation and creativity to the table. I will be discussing two very different dances that have completely changed modern American dance. Martha Graham’s Lamentation, and George Balanchine’s Serenade.

When looking at the periods of dance it can be separated into Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Pre-Romantic, Romantic, Russian Classic, and Ballet Russes before we reach the Twentieth Century. Ballet began during what is known as the Italian Renaissance, and permeated French culture by Catherine de Medici’s marriage to the King of France. The very first endorsed “ballet”, Le Ballet Comique de la Reine performed on October 15, 1581, marked the beginning of theatrical and technical dance performances. During this time our first prominent ballet masters came about, including; Balthasar Beaujoyeaux, Pierre Beauchamp, Domenico of Ferrara, and Guglielmo Ebreo, to name a few. These early ballet masters created and built upon social dance and turned it into a technical spectacle. After much deliberation on what causes the alteration and growth of ballet over time, there was one constant throughout. Ballet masters from the Renaissance to current

Duke Ellington was a jazz author, conductor, and entertainer amid the Harlem Renaissance. During the developmental Cotton Club years, he explored different avenues regarding and built up the style that would rapidly bring him overall achievement. Ellington would be among the first to concentrate on melodic shape and sythesis in jazz. Ellington composed more than 2000 pieces in his lifetime.

“Even before Jazz, for most New Orleanians, music was not a luxury as it often is elsewhere - it was a necessity” (“A New Orleans Jazz History, 1895 - 1927”). Without music, New Orleans’ culture would not be the same as it is today. Jazz was not only an immense part of culture in New Orleans, but in the rest of the United States as well. Eventually, Jazz even diffused across the oceans, where different cultures gave their own twist to Jazz. A large factor to many individual cultures, Jazz widely influenced the youth on what they are and what they could be. Jazz exhibited the morals of the young generation, and therefore was a significant influence in the 1920s, not only in the United States, but in Europe as well.

The 1920s were filled with many fast-paced and energetic dances. First off in the novel, it says “Daisy and Gatsby danced. I remember… never seen him dance before.” (Fitzgerald 112) This is one dance shown during the 1920s; other famous dances include The Charleston and The Lindy Hop. The Charleston was a very popular dance of the 1920s, danced by both young men and women of that generation(Rosenburg). In her article, Rosenberg states “The Charleston dance became very popular after appearing along with the song, “The Charleston,” by James P. Johnson in the Broadway musical Runnin’ Wild in 1923. The dance was very popular but wasn’t appropriate to all. Originally, the Charleston was considered scandalous because of its free-swinging arms, legs

“I’ve always been drawn to gospel music and the roots of African American music. It’s the foundation of rock and roll.” Hozier, an Irish musician, was right when he claimed that Gospel music laid the foundation for rock and roll, but how did gospel get such an influential role? What figures popularized gospel so that it became a known genre of music worldwide? Who transformed the once tame church music into the emotional music that is now heard? While gospel may have started with other musicians, Thomas Dorsey changed and defined gospel as we know it today. Through the Pilgrim Church, the National Convention of Gospel Choirs, and Dorsey’s song, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” Thomas Dorsey became the “Father of Gospel.”

Before this unit, black dancing often differed from whites. First off, many of them seemed more comedic, Josephine Baker from Le Revue Des Revues. Her innovated performance brought her stardom, for she was the first African America international entertainer. She used her whole body in dances, freely moving around. In the 1920s, people deemed her dance ‘savage’ due to the lack of structure and revealing clothes. She received much criticism but celebrated her freedom. At the time, many people still performed very structured dances, like ballroom dancing, yet many dances whites performed originated from African Americans, like the Charleston and Jazz. They modified the Charleston to fit their ‘standards’. Many of African American dances seemed

In life, there are few things as organic as jazz music. With its raw sound and scrappy roots, one cannot help but feel life head-on whilst witnessing players produce such a sound right before their eyes. Its origins and arch are a product of the United States’ national culture and identity. Jazz exists not only as a deeply rooted form of art but as a cultural marker, particularly during its commercial peak in the first half of the 20th century. Its impact transcends borders, and it is one of the most beloved musical genres worldwide. The history, popularity and influence of jazz on human culture make it the seminal American art form.

Over the course of many years, African Americans have influenced communities in many ways. African Americans have been used as slaves and segregated. After overcoming these struggles, they later were granted freedoms and rights. Many African American individuals have overcome these hard times and worked hard to achieve their dreams. Misty Copeland, Patricia Bath, and Madam C.J. Walker are courageous African-American women who have overcome racial stereotypes because of their determination to pursue what they love; Misty Copeland’s determination led her to pursue dance, and Patricia Bath and Madam C.J. Walker were strong, African American entrepreneurs.

How does a black man, in the USA, become a renowned choreography all over the world? In a time, with racial pressures and financial woes, Alvin Ailey found an outlet with dancing. In the 1960s and 1970s, modern dance was shaped into a popular art form by Alvin Ailey. Alvin created over 60+ dances for his dance troupe such as Blues Suite, Masakala Language, Night Creature, and Revelations. Like many who followed, Alvin Ailey became famous with his ambition and perseverance.

Manning had dancing in his blood and was born to dance. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1914. Considering his mother was a dancer, Manning got into dance at a very young age. He was heavenly influenced by danced when he would spend his summers in Aiken, South Carolina with his father on the farm. Every Saturday, many locals would come to the farm to play music on the front porch with harmonicas and a washtub bass. Soon after moving to Harlem in the 1920’s, he started dancing at the Alhambra Ballroom to music usually from Vernon Andrade. In 1927 he eventually moved on to the Renaissance Ballroom, which had a crowd of older teenagers with the live swing music of the Claude Hopkins Orchestra. Ultimately moving onto the Savoy Ballroom, which was famously known for its great dancers and bands. He would continue to frequent the Savoy throughout the 1930s, eventually becoming a dancer in the elite group; "Kat's Corner." Soon after in 1935, he became part of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers; dance group

The 24th Annual Sacramento/Black Art of Dance occurred on February 18th-28th, 2016 at the California State University of Sacramento at Solano Hall 1010, home to many of Sacramento State 's Department of Theatre & Dance performances. Sacramento/Black Art of Dance is a modern dance company that follows the footsteps of Katherine Dunham. S/BAD not only carries on the tradition of Black Concert dance in America, but also explores the movement culture of the African and African-American diaspora in the concepts of modern dance. Ancestral Voices, which directed mainly by Linda Goodrich, presented by S/BAD in its 24th year of presenting dance to pay homage to ancestors who have come before us through the language of dance. The concert had two acts

The aesthetics of jazz dance have forever made an impact on the dance world. Jazz is so much more than sleek finger snaps, sharp hips, and jazz hands. It is a confident, demanding presence that hypnotizes audiences and allows them to be their purest self. One of the greats who made this impact possible is Rob Marshall. Rob Marshall single handedly revived Broadway musicals on film. He organically worked his way up through dancing, singing, acting, choreographing, and to directing film and theatre. In his life story one can see his passion and artistry that truly changed the dance world in a positive way.

My dance experience trails back to when I was a freshman in high school, getting involved in some classes at my local dance studio. Immediately, I fell in love with this art form and knew I wanted to carry it with me beyond high school. I began dancing as a dance major at Mesa College in Fall 2017. While I am only just beginning to delve into my second semester, I can already say that I have expanded my knowledge of dance and dance technique at Mesa. In my dance classes, I have been able to improve upon my body placement and proper alignment. With the help of my instructors, I am able to work towards improving elements I have always struggled with, such as balance. Even outside of class, like auditioning for Mesa 's dance concert, I have found that the structure and organization of these auditions has helped prepare me for audition processes in the real world. Picking up and retaining choreography quickly is something I tend to struggle with, but these auditions give me the practice necessary to perform to my greatest ability and figure out methods to be on top of my game. Dance is like therapy to me, and after a long day of work or other classes, it feels comforting to have my dance classes as an outlet to express myself and exert my energy into something positive. On that same note, I have felt overwhelming support from my dance instructors at Mesa. There are times where I 've felt alone as a dance major, especially coming to college for the first time and realizing that