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AUTHENTIC JAZZ

Learn more about what Authentic Jazz is.

What is Authentic Jazz?

Born in African American communities in the early 1900s, Jazz, now often named Authentic Jazz Dance or Solo Jazz, has lived on through dancers’ improvisation, individuality, and embodiment of rhythm. It is a street and social dance with historic and artistic roots in enslaved individuals and often acted as a metaphor for struggle, resistance, and liberation. It continues to grow alongside the ever-changing musical landscape of its time of origin throughout this day and the future.

"In jazz dance, there's freedom to express yourself. It's a conversation, a story told through movement."

- Norma Miller

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Jazz vs. Authentic Jazz

Authentic jazz dance was a term used widely from the 1950's onward, likely to differentiate itself after the growth in popularity of “modern” jazz movements that increasingly referred to Modern Dance and Ballet as “jazz dance”. Today, these dance forms' connection to jazz music is considered loose or non-existent. 1

"Jazz is a conversation...

It's a message in music. And everybody that can hear it can participate in it."

- Frankie Manning

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