Unveiling the Origins of Jazz Dance and Its Journey Through Cultural Appropriation

Jazz dance is more than just rhythm and movement; it is an art form that tells a rich story of culture, resilience, and creativity. Emerging from the heart of African American history, jazz dance took shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As jazz music gained popularity, it paved the way for a dance phenomenon that would captivate audiences around the globe. This blog post takes you through the historical roots of jazz dance, how it has evolved due to cultural appropriation, and the current movement aimed at reclaiming its heritage.

Historical Roots of Jazz Dance

Jazz movements traveled with the enslaved people of West Africa through the transatlantic slave trade. During the enslavement era, African dances transformed into something unique to the enslaved Black/ African Americans. The movements began to intertwine with the movements of the captors.

Jazz dance is a uniquely American art form, rooted deeply in African traditions. Enslaved Africans brought their vibrant movement styles to America, blending them with European influences to create a new cultural expression. For instance, the traditional African dance styles involving rhythmic footwork, expressive upper body movement, and improvisation became fundamental elements of jazz dance.

Before the revolutionary war, Americans were entertained by “Negro impersonations,” especially how they Blacks would dance. White performers would wear blackface to mock the conditions of Black people. There were also performance troupes that would use Black performers in these shows making fun of them, and those performers would also wear blackface. By 1810, the “singing and dancing ‘Negro Boy’ was established with the traditional clowns as a dance hall and circus character.” These performers would usually perform Irish or English jigs and clog dances, to popular songs with Negroes in the lyrics. In the early 19th century Blacks were able to survive in the north by putting on their own version of the black face shows.

1920s Jazz Era

Though the term “jazz dance” was not widely used until the 1920s, the dance style's essence can be traced back to the gatherings of enslaved Africans in the Americas. Historical records show that these communities used dance as a form of resistance, communication, and celebration. In places like New Orleans, cultural blending was prevalent, allowing African dance forms to merge with other traditions, creating a unique and rich tapestry of movement.

As the 19th century ended, the minstrel show evolved into Vaudeville and musical theatre. Jazz dance, authentic jazz dance developed alongside jazz music of the 1920s through the 1940s. The movements of authentic jazz included grounded swing, a sloped torso, polyrhythms, polycentrism, and articulation of the torso. The syncopation would accent the offbeat in the music. The dancers would move to multiple rhythms at the same time with different parts of the body.

The Black performers of the 1920s would be observed by white performers and taken and watered down for commercial use. The loose-limbed, articulate movements removed in an attempt to make the movement acceptable for white audience. Eventually Black dancers began to assimilate, adopting the Eurocentric verticality for their Cakewalks and the closed ballroom position for the Lindy Hop. The musicals of the time replaced the African element of improvisation with joyous sensuality.  American audiences were wowed by Black performers in the 1920s. Shows like “Shuffle Along, Runnin’ Wild,” “Chocolate Dandies,” and “Blackbirds.”  

In 1923, the Charleston was introduced, and Americans were quick to adopt it. It was during this time American dancer and trained anthropologist; Katherine Dunham was making waves with her contributions to African-influenced dance based on research in Africa and the Caribbean. Her choreography fascinated audiences with free moving torsos, play on polyrhythms, with her energetic and enthusiastic performers. Dunham’s company presented jazz dance in a cultural context.

In the 1930s, Dunham research focused on the state of Black America, she interviewed formerly enslaved people to discover vernacular dance history. Dances like the Shimmy, falling off the Log, Black Bottom, Shorty George, Palmer House, and other dance steps were exposed to audiences through works like Le Jazz Hot and the Americana Suite.

While Dunham’s company was not a jazz company, they often performed jazz movements and through her exposure gave early jazz vocabulary that contributed to a codified and mainstream understanding of jazz. 

In the 1940s Dunham worked with American choreographer George Balanchine on “Cabin in the Sky,” but when talking about the process he stated... he would suggest "dispositions" and the "rest almost improvised itself." This lack of acknowledgement of Dunham’s contributions minimalized the skill, creativity, labor, and dance heritage of Dunham and the African American dancers. 

Scholars have highlighted the influence of these early African practices on the vibrant dance forms developed by African Americans. After the end of slavery, jazz dance evolved alongside various new music styles, especially jazz, creating a rich cultural experience that reflected Black Americans’ challenges and triumphs.

Josephine Baker captivated audiences with her energetic performances, combining humor and sensuality. In her iconic banana skirt, she not only entertained but also challenged racial stereotypes. She became a symbol of Black excellence, demonstrating the power of jazz dance to entertain and provoke thought.

The Nicholas Brothers, known for their incredible acrobatics, set new standards for jazz dance. Their groundbreaking routines in films like “Stormy Weather” showcased spectacular leaps and turns, revolutionizing the way audiences viewed dance. Their contributions paved the way for future generations, demonstrating how jazz dance could convey complex emotions and stories.

Despite these figures’ immense contributions, the true cultural origins of jazz dance often faced neglect. As the genre became more commercialized, its Black roots were frequently overlooked, leading to a narrative that diminished the cultural significance of jazz dance.

Cultural Appropriation and Commercialization

Cultural appropriation has posed a significant challenge for jazz dance throughout its history. Many mainstream representations of jazz dance borrowed elements without acknowledging their origins. This practice highlights a broader trend—the commercialization of Black culture. For example, the jazz hands made famous in Broadway shows often lack the context of their origins in African American performance traditions.

As jazz dance transitioned from social expressions to a performance art, its cultural heritage often lost depth. The communal aspect, storytelling, and cultural significance embedded in the movement were frequently replaced by superficial representation. In some cases, media portrayals reinforced stereotypes, further distancing audiences from the rich history behind the dance.

A survey conducted by the Dance Heritage Coalition revealed that nearly 70 percent of dance educators expressed concerns about the lack of inclusion of Black history in dance curricula. Such statistics underscored the need for responsible representation and education about the origins of jazz dance.

Reclaiming Cultural Origins

Recently, a renewed effort has emerged within the dance community to reclaim jazz dance’s cultural roots. Artists, educators, and advocates are collaborating to ensure that the legacy of jazz dance is recognized and preserved. This movement emphasizes the importance of understanding the dance form's history and its connection to African heritage.

Educational initiatives increasingly incorporate lessons on jazz dance history, its African origins, and its evolution in the United States. For instance, dance programs at universities are adding courses focused on jazz’s cultural significance, enabling students to appreciate the depth of this art form. Programs like “Jazz Dance for Social Justice” seek to address the historical context and social issues linked to jazz dance.

Activism also plays a crucial role in this movement. Dancers and choreographers are using their platforms to speak out against cultural appropriation while advocating for greater representation of Black artists in the dance world.

Reflecting on Jazz Dance's Importance

Jazz dance is a vibrant and essential genre filled with connections to African American history. Its evolution from social dance to a celebrated performance art reflects a broader narrative of resilience and cultural blending. Understanding and acknowledging these origins is key to appreciating jazz dance’s current form and cultural impact.

As we move forward, it is essential to celebrate the contributions of artists who shaped jazz dance while fostering awareness about its history. This acknowledgment empowers future generations to appreciate and continue this vital cultural journey, honoring the art form's legacy and the community it represents.