JAZZ, MUSICAL THEATRE, AND

TAPCHAPTER 9 FROM LEARNING ABOUT DANCE TEXTBOOK BY NORA AMBROSIO

History of Jazz Origins of jazz can be traced

back to Africa In the 1600’s slaves were

brought from Africa to America The slaves continued to dance

and drum on the plantations Slave owners banned drumming Slaves kept their rhythms alive

by clapping, stomping their feet, and singing the songs of Africa

Slaves danced for their own enjoyment, for the entertainment of the slave owners, and for competitions between each other and other slaves on different plantations

Minstrel Shows Minstrel shows began in

the 1830’s They showcased black

songs and dances They were performed in

theatres Blacks were not allowed to

perform in public Whites performed the black

dances in “black face” and performed parodies of songs and dances from black culture

Minstrel Show Video

Black Minstrel Shows Blacks began to perform in

minstrel shows in the 1860’s They performed for other blacks

and Irish immigrants Black minstrel shows soon became

as popular as white minstrels because of the “cakewalk”

Cakewalk came directly from the plantations

It “was a contest among dancing couples who attempted to outdo each other in the mock imitation of the white man’s manners and behavior”1

Dancers showcased their best struts, high kicks, and show-stopping footwork

1. Richard Kislan, Hoofing on Broadway (NY; Prentice Hall Press, 1987), p. 19.

Cakewalk Video Clip

Vaudeville Vaudeville included a wide variety

of song and dance Uniqueness and diversity were

encouraged Vaudeville was a training ground for

performers destined for Broadway, nightclubs, and film

Black performers continued to create new movements in line with African technique and rhythms (staying connected to the earth) – hence the repeated use of plié in jazz technique

Jazz music emerged during this time period – Ragtime and the Blues

Dancers began to connect movements to the syncopated rhythms of jazz music

Vaudeville Historic Footage

Blacks and Vaudeville - PBS documentary(caution: racial language)

The Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance lasted from 1921-1933 (The Roaring Twenties)

Exclusive clubs in Harlem, New York, such as the Cotton Club, were the social places to be for the white people of New York

The clubs had elaborate shows that featured black dancers and singers

White people came to the clubs to learn the latest dance crazes from the black dancers

This was the only public place that Blacks and Whites were allowed to intermingle

Dance crazes during this time period were the Charleston and the Black Bottom.

The Charleston became famous through out the United States and Europe

Flappers – women with short bob hair cuts and short fringe dresses are often associated with the Charleston

The CharlestonThe Charleston 2Black BottomBlack Bottom 2

Television and Movies Jazz was mainly seen in

movies, night clubs, television, and on the stage

In the 1950’s and 1960’s variety shows such as “The Lawrence Welk Show” and “The Ed Sullivan Show” featured jazz dance.

Many great jazz dancers, such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, and Ray Bolger often danced on television.

Definition of Jazz Dance Today Jazz can be defined in

several ways - Sensual, visceral, improvisational, syncopated, hot, cool

Essential characteristics of jazz are:

1. Use of syncopated rhythm

2. Varying rhythms and dynamics

3. Ranges of energy

4. Changing levels, directions, shapes and floor patterns

5. Use of diagonal, curved or asymmetrical lines

Summary of Jazz History

Jazz should not be just high kicks, multiple turns, “dance tricks,” dancers staying in one place and dancing to one set rhythm, always having symmetrical lines, and “squareness” where all movements happen on the count of 1.

Jazz is very theatrical – dancers should perform with full commitment to the energy, focus, facial expression and intent of the character or situation that the choreographer created.

Musical Theatre History Early musical theatre

examples can be traced back to Ancient Greece and Rome. 18th century France, England and Germany also had productions that combined music, dance, and theatre.

American musical theatre has its roots in jazz dance.

The Black Crook (1866) is one of the first notable musical theatre productions . It used dance to move the story along. It started a trend that is now musical theatre.

1921 the musical, “Shuffle Along,” was the first major musical by African Americans to gain national fame. It featured music by jazz great Eubie Blake. Chorus girl, Josephine Baker, later became an international star and helped to make the Charleston and Black Bottom dances popular.

1926, dance director Seymour Felix introduced the idea of seamlessly integrating script, music, lyrics and dance as an important aspect of musical theatre. He was determined to make the dances unified with the story and music of the show rather than just an entertainment filler.

I’m In Love with You Pre-show Dance Number (1929)

Great Gabbo – I’m In Love with You Production Number (1929)

Oklahoma and Agnes De Mille

1943 – Agnes De Mille choreographed the dance sequences for Oklahoma

She created an artistic dance sequence called the “dream sequence”

The sequence added to the story line while also being its own dramatic piece.

This piece raised choreographers to the same status as the director, composer, and playwright in the musical theatre production.

Oklahoma Dream Sequence (part 1)Oklahoma Dream Sequence (part 2)

Musical Theatre Choreographers

Many ballet and modern choreographers choreographed for musical theatre.

George Balanchine Jerome Robbins Katherine Dunham Twyla Tharp

Today’s style of jazz is often credited to Jack Cole who used his Denishawn training (greatly influenced by Eastern dance styles) to create a jazz-ethnic-ballet style that we still use in musicals, films, commercials, and television today.

Cole is considered the “father of jazz”

Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins were greatly influenced by Jack Cole’s jazz style.

Balanchine – The Goldwyn FolliesJerome Robbins – Broadway worksKatherine Dunham Twyla Tharp - Movin’ OutTwyla Tharp -Come Fly AwayJack Cole – KismetJack Cole – Beale Street BluesBob Fosse – Clips of Bob Fosse Dancing

Popular Musicals Most musicals are made

for live theatre and then recreated for the movie screen.

It is extremely expensive to produce a musical for Broadway. This is why there are fewer and fewer musicals being made every year.

Some of the most popular musicals are: Rent Chicago West Side Story Cats Beauty and the Beast

- Continued Wicked Lion King Phantom of the Opera Les Miserables

Tap Dance Tap is a blend of the Irish Jig,

English Clog, and “Negro” Shuffle

Rhythmic sounds are produced by the feet

Metal taps are worn on the bottom of the shoes

Tap gained popularity in minstrel and vaudeville shows in the late 1800’s

Tap has a vocabulary of steps, but it is also highly improvisational

Hoofers – call attention to their intricate footwork (Savion Glover and Gregory Hines)

Class Acts – have elegant body movements and execute steps in a refined manner (Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers)

Flash Acts – Combine tap dance with acrobatics (Nicholas Brothers)

Soft Shoe – Skim the floor and produce soft muted sounds (George Primrose)

Famous Tappers Bill “Bojangles

” Robinson – Vaudeville tapper who joined the Vaudeville circuit at the age of 12. He is one of the first African American performers to have regular employment in the white theatre and movies. He is famous for tap dancing with Shirley Temple.

Famous Tappers Sammy Davis Jr. –

started on the Vaudeville stage. He was known for being a triple threat – singing, dancing, and acting. He became one of America’s most popular entertainers. His movie, Tap, inspired the general public to gain a new interest in tap dancing.

Sammy Davis Jr. and Gregory Hines tapping together

Famous Tappers Fred Astaire a

nd Ginger Rogers – made tap popular in musical theatre productions. They also included ballroom dancing in their dance sequences.

Top Hat – The Piccolino

Dancing Dancing Cheek to Cheek

Swing Time

Gene Kelly - popularized tap dance. He was known for his athletic ability. His style of tap was very athletic – not graceful like Astaire and Rogers. His most famous tap dance is in Singin’ in the Rain.

I’ve Got Rhythm

It’s Always Fair Weather

Famous Tappers Gregory Hines -

starred in several movies that highlighted tap sequences. He danced and trained with some of the best known tappers, Sammy Davis Jr., The Nicholas Brothers, and Sandman Sims.

Paula Abdul – used tap in her music videos. By placing tap in music videos, it introduced tap to a younger audience and increased the popularity of the dance form.

Tap with Steve Martin White Nights Dancing with the Masters

Tapping at a concertOpposites Attract

Famous Tappers Savion Glover –

was a child tap prodigy. He trained with Gregory Hines. Glover developed the choreography for the Broadway show Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk which mixed tap, hip hop, and break dancing. He won a Tony award for this. He has tapped on several TV shows and movies. His focus now is to bring tap back to its African roots and back to the forefront of black culture. He is known as the greatest tap dancer in the world.

Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk

Sesame Street

Dancing with the Stars

Happy Feet

Characteristics of Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre Dance, and Tap

DanceJazz Dance Musical Theatre Dance

Tap Dance

Strong use of syncopated rhythms.

Dance in musical theatre productions can be used to enhance the storyline and to move the storyline along.

Shoes are worn with metal taps on the bottom.

The repeated use of the plié. Dance sequences can also stand alone as artistic works.

Rhythmic sounds are produced by moving the feet.

The dancing has an improvisational feel.

The script, music, lyrics, and dance have a strong relationship.

Tap dance has a strong use of syncopated rhythms.

Individual style is developed and demonstrated.

Musical theatre dance can be seen on the theatrical stage and in movie musicals.

Tap dance has a vocabulary with prescribed steps, but mostly, tap dance is improvisational.

The dancing is presentational, visceral and sensual.

There are different styles of tap and tap dancers: hoofers, class acts, flash acts, soft shoe, etc.

There is a strong use of varying dynamics.

Tap dance can be seen on the theatrical stage, concert stage, and in movies, movie musicals and popular dance videos.

Jazz dance can be seen on the theatrical stage, concert stage, and in movie musicals and popular music videos.