JAZZ DANCE

by HARRIET R. LIHS
2nd edition, 170 pages, $15.95
ISBN 978-0-89641-259-0 

 

This book is designed to give the novice jazz student an introduction to the rich art of jazz dance, by supplementing and explaining what is happening in the dance class. The first chapter provides some background on the origins of jazz dance in the United States and how it has changed through the years. Chapter 2 discusses good ways to prepare mentally and physically for the jazz dance class. The next two chapers explore the correct performance warm-ups and dance combinations frequently found in jazz classes. Since jazz dance is about moving to music, a chapter on music has been added. A chapter on choreography offers suggestions for the student interested in creating original works. The last chapter provides information about noted jazz teachers and offers an opportunity to compare their styles by presenting sample combinations from their classes.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: ROOTS OF JAZZ DANCE

Minstrel Shows Vaudeville and Tap
The 'Thirties' and 'Forties'
The 'Fifties' and 'Sixties'
The 'Seventies
Eighties' and Now

Chapter 2: GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR JAZZ CLASSES

Attire
Footwear
Class Procedures
Body Alignment
Staying Healthy
Diet
Habits to Avoid
Dealing with Injuries

Chapter 3: THE JAZZ CLASS: WARM-UPS

Foot Positions
Arm and Hand Positions
Swings
Isolations
Spinal Warm-ups
Plies and Relevés
Hip and Leg Warm-ups
Stretches
Conditioning Exercises

Chapter 4: THE JAZZ CLASS: DANCING

Locomotor Movements
Aerial Moves
Falls and Rolls
Turns;
Jazz Adagio

Chapter 5: MUSIC: IT DON'T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT SWING

Pop
Jazz and Show Music
Be-Bop
Blues
Boogie Woogie
Cool Jazz
Crossover
Disco
Free Jazz
Fusion
New Age
Ragtime
Rap
Reggae
Rhythm and Blues
Rock
Rock n' Roll
Rumba
Salsa
Samba
Soul
Swing
World Beat

Chapter 6: CHOREOGRAPHY AND PRODUCTION

Selecting a Theme and Improvising
Choreographic Considerations
People
Space
Time
Choreographic Structure
Production
The Final Analysis

Chapter 7: A JAZZ SAMPLER: JAZZ DANCE TEACHERS OF NOTE

Biographies of noted jazz dance teachers and examples of their combinations.

GLOSSARY OF JAZZ DANCE TERMS

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

ANNOTATED VIDEOGRAPHY

INDEX

ABOUT THE AUTHOR . . .

Harriet R. Lihs began studying dance at the age of eight, graduated from the High School of Performing Arts and danced at Radio City Music Hall. She holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Iowa, and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from Smith College. She teaches jazz, other dance forms and gymnastics teams in Iowa and Texas and directs the dance program at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. She is the author of three articles on "Dance for Gymnasts," published in the magazine Dance Teacher Now. She also authored Teaching Gymnastics, now in its third edition, published by American Press, Boston, MA.