| Before the 1950s the term "jazz dance" referred | | | | Modern jazz dance frequently influences other |
| to a range of dance styles that originated from | | | | styles of dance such as ballet, contemporary and |
| the African American vernacular dances of the | | | | lyrical to mention just a few. It's also |
| late 1800s to mid 1900s. During the 1950s, | | | | ever-evolving as it is equally influenced by the |
| modern jazz dance appeared on the scene which | | | | styles of dances that it influences. As with most |
| was rooted in Caribbean traditional dance and had | | | | forms of dance, any proficient jazz dancer will |
| a very different style. There are many different | | | | require an excellent technique. The best jazz |
| styles of jazz dance which can all be traced back | | | | dancers benefit from a good working knowledge |
| to one of these earlier styles. | | | | of ballet and as a result, training the jazz dancer |
| Until the 1950s, the term jazz dancing was often | | | | often includes ballet training. |
| used to refer to tap dancing. This is because tap | | | | As with any style of dance, jazz dancing requires |
| dancing was one of the most prominent forms of | | | | the dancer to wear a specific type of dance |
| dance of the era and was often performed to | | | | clothing. The most important of which are the |
| jazz music. Over many years, jazz dancing | | | | dance shoes which are called jazz shoes. They |
| evolved and from it were born a range of social | | | | usually have suede soles to allow the dancer to |
| and concert styles. The origins of many popular | | | | easily execute spins and turns whilst still providing |
| forms of jazz dancing can be found here. Such | | | | adequate traction to move around the |
| styles include the Cakewalk, Charleston, Black | | | | performance space without slipping over. The jazz |
| Bottom, Jitterbug, Boogie Woogie and Swing - | | | | shoe upper is usually made from soft leather |
| many of which still remain popular today. | | | | which enables the dancer to easily flex the foot. |
| It was after the 1950s that the modern jazz | | | | Over time, the soft leather will also mould to the |
| dance which is recognised by audiences and | | | | shape of the dancer's foot to make them highly |
| dancers around the world began to develop. | | | | comfortable and enable the dancer to give their |
| During this period, there was an increased | | | | best possible performance. |
| supremacy of other forms of entertainment | | | | There is a huge choice of jazz shoes on the |
| music, and jazz dance evolved onto Broadway | | | | market today which gives the dancer great |
| with a new smooth style that is epitomised by | | | | choice. Jazz shoes can be high rise, low rise, slip |
| musicals such as Chicago and Cabaret. These | | | | on or lace up. Whilst they will almost always have |
| popular musicals were choreographed by Bob | | | | a soft leather upper, they can occasionally have a |
| Fosse who is largely responsible for popularising | | | | pvc upper and even mesh insoles. They're |
| jazz dancing. He took much of his influence from | | | | available from a wide range of brands such as |
| choreographer Jack Cole who is often considered | | | | Bloch, Dance Gear, Capezio and So Danca. These |
| the father of jazz dance. To this day, modern | | | | popular dancewear companies manufacture jazz |
| jazz is an indispensible ingredient of musical | | | | shoes as well as a wide range of other dance |
| theatre, which is very apparent in many | | | | clothing, bags and other dance accessories that |
| contemporary music videos and competitive | | | | dancers often use in dance class and for fashion. |
| dances. | | | | |