Learn 1920s-1950s
Jazz Dance Online

by Alexandre McCormack

What is 1920s-1950s Jazz?

Jazz dance also known as Black American Authentic Vernacular Jazz, encompasses a variety of social dances that majorly originated in the clubs, parties, and ballrooms of Harlem, New York, during the first half of the 20th century.

Among others, Jazz encompasses the Charleston, Black Bottom, Applejack, Big Apple, Bebop, Mambo, Shaky Blues, Lindy Hop, The Walk, Bop and many more. The Savoy Ballroom, a prominent venue in Harlem, was a significant influence and trendsetter for many of these styles. Some of these dances spread to the rest of the world, notably through legendary performers like the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, Josephine Baker, Cab Calloway...

Over 100 historical steps

Learn the foundation & flip it

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Levels

Up to 4 levels

Covering first-timers to proficient Jazz and Urban dancers.

This hub is designed for you to become the best Jazz dancer you can be in your lifetime.

Introduction

Getting started

Wisdom

Personal inspiration

Foundation

The must-have

Artistry

Becoming much more

Philosophy & Background

Learn the foundation, create your own style

Embark on a journey to master the foundations of various Authentic Vernacular Jazz styles from the 1920s to the 1950s, under the guidance of Alex McCormack. Transitioning from his early days as a competitive Bboy, Alex has dedicated over a decade to the study and practice of African American Jazz. His extensive exploration includes analyzing historical footage, engaging in-depth conversations with Old-timers and Old-school dancers, and attempting to emulate the essence of Black American Jazz dances.
Alex's approach to teaching is deeply influenced by his background in Hip Hop and the wisdom imparted by his mentors. He stresses the importance of a solid foundational understanding, as he attempts to pass down from his studies of the originators of Jazz dance. Yet, he also encourages a creative adaptation of these fundamentals to foster a unique personal style. In his view, this blend of respect for traditional techniques and individual expression is key to both preserving the legacy of the dance and contributing to its ongoing evolution and innovation.
Through his classes, Alex offers a comprehensive learning experience that is not just about mastering steps, but also about understanding and respecting the rich history and culture behind these vibrant dance forms. This balanced approach ensures that students gain a deep appreciation for Jazz Dance while developing their own artistic voice within the genre.

Part 2 - Oldschool Jazz Steps

These are social and performative dance steps from the early Jazz era.

*Switches : I've seen different names for this one. One might call it Kick, Kick Ball Change.

*Eccentric walk : this is how I call it. Particularly observed in various ways among eccentric dancers like Cab Calloway, Earl Tucker, Ann Pennington and others.

*Boogie cross : cross or crossover

Song : Lovin Machine - Wynonie Harris

#jazzdance #dance #dancehistory #swingdance #solojazz #dancetutorial #vintage #rnb #oldstylejazz #rythymandblues #1930s #1950s

Routine from 1927 with a twist in the second part

The Shim Sham is a tap routine created by Leonard Reed & Willie Bryant in 1927, originally called "Goofus". It was commonly used as a finishing ensemble for cabaret shows with all the performers.

Howard Johnson says the routine was taken and performed by a Drag chorus line in the after hours at The 101 Ranch, thus the name Shim Sham [she-him] sham. They assumingly introduced the shaking nature in the hip and shoulders, doing the Shimmy in the first 8 bars. (Credit : @juanivillafane).

Frankie Manning famously performed this routine and passed it on to many swing dancers. Speaking of which, Ryan François @ryan_francois_jazz had a very close relationship with Frankie himself, he's been around since the 1980s. Ryan is one of the most knowledgeable people about Jazz dance and its history I've met.

The Shim Sham is a great way to get started with some vernacular Jazz foundations. However I would highly recommend learning the tap version rather than the commonly simplified version.

Event : @rhythm.korea
Band : @sageminswingtet

#jazz #dance #dancehistory #oldstylejazz #lindyhop #solojazz #jazzdance #swingdance #dancetutorial #tapdance #shimsham

Pink Champagne - Slow RnB

By Joe Liggins

#rnb #slow #jazzdance #dance #jazz #boogiewoogie #slowrnb #blues #bluesdance

Oldschool moves

#jazzdance #dance #dancehistory #swingdance #solojazz #dancetutorial #vintage #rnb #oldstylejazz #rythymandblues #1930s #1950s

One of our local routines in Brussels inspired by the original Stops.

I choreographed this routine a few years ago. It's inspired by the original Whitey's Lindy Hoppers First & Second Stops from New York City. These are classic Lindy Hop routines that, in my opinion, should be part of all Lindy Hopper's repertoire for two reasons : tradition and understanding Jazz rhythm. It's great to teach these early to students for these reasons.

It's worth noting that there's a 3rd Stops recently developed by Barbara Billups and taught by @jiveswing.
Also, to my knowledge there are another 2 variations of the Stops : The "Al & Leon" stops and, what I call "The Cootie Williams" stops" also starring Leon James that can be found in an old clip.
Al Minns would usually credit himself for the creation of the stops, but he might have been referencing to his own version. Otherwise, Frankie Manning is credited for the First Stops and the likes of Lee Motes, Jimmy Outlaw and Big Nick for the Second Stops.

Regarding the "brussels stops", I wanted something that would both pay homage while at the same time bringing our own thing. I could have omitted "stops" in the name, but I think it's important that the name reflects where the inspiration and intent is from, especially for our local scene.

I really encourage the idea of regional styles, regional routines (all while paying respects to its origins), I think it's keeps things fresh.

I hope this inspires others to develop their own local routines that might become tradition locally.

Dancers: Mad Max @lippertmaxime, Toffee @toffee_vl, Delphine @the_jazz_dolphin

#lindyhop #jazz #swingdance #swing #dance

Dancing freely at sunset

#dance #electronicmusic #housemusic #jazzdance #poppin

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Scholarships Offered

Vernacular jazz dance should be accessible to all while having its cultural heritage carried by its founders legacy. If you relate to these situations, please consider applying for a scholarship :

Cultural Heritage: If you have a direct connection to African-American Dance Heritage.
Financial Barriers: If financial constraints hinder your access to the courses.

Send a short cover letter to info@jazzerz.net

Learn 1920s-1950s Jazz Dance Online