Author(s): Dollie Henry; Paul Jenkins

Performing Arts

From its African roots to our present-day global dance community, the jazz idiom has afforded a cross-fertilization with all other artistic, cultural, and social representations within the arts industry, providing an accessible dance platform for dancers, teachers and creatives to enjoy both recreationally and professionally. This guide offers a practical and uncomplicated overview to the multi-layered history, practices, and development of jazz dance as a creative and artistic dance form. It covers the incredible history and lineage of jazz dance; the innovators, choreographers, and dance creatives of the genre; specifics of jazz aesthetic, steps, and styles; a detailed breakdown of a practical jazz dance warm-up and technical exercises; creative frameworks to support development of jazz dance expression and aesthetic; performance and improvisation; jazz music and musical interpretation; and finally, choreographing and creating jazz works.