The Jazz Dance is a dance style of the rhythm of music and quick, precise footwork. Syncopation is the element that gives the music and dance their taste and emotion.
Jazz is full of sudden and unexpected changes. The fundamental jazz technique is still based on the mastery of turns, leaps, kicks, and fluid style, but it also involves harder and faster movements that combine hip hop moves with conventional jazz steps.
On the other hand, jazz dance carries on to be a genre which can differ according to contemporary trends, while upholding a strong and consistent foundation.
According to Biju Kolly, founder, Vibes — The Dance Lab, jazz is a structured dance form with body postures, lines, alignment, lifts, spins and many variations.
“Jazz helps to bring disciplinary movements and improvisation in children. It also brings in rhythm sense, synchronisation and flexibility in them,” says Biju.
Jazz dance has its roots in African and slave ethnicity. Jazz is amalgamated with tap dance, minstrel shows (American Comic acts), vaudeville (theatre), swing (a genre of jazz music), and Broadway (American theatre).
“Jazz can be performed on hip-hop, funk or pop music unlike ballet which is more detailed. Jazz connects with the children and gives them the exposure to transition and reality,” says Biju
Children learn control, skill, and grace, and they tone and condition their bodies for dancing. Gradually they tend to have firm bodies and tight postures.
“The technical positions like Plea and Relevae (leg positions in jazz) help in extensions, isolations and muscle usage. A child should evolve with the dance form,” he adds.
Biju, who has been taking jazz dance workshops in India and abroad, says it is easier to train kids as they have softer bodies. “Five years is ideal for a child to enrol into jazz lessons because they have new muscles which imbibe the dance form,” says Biju.
