Jazz dance is the restless spirit of American culture. It began as a blend of African and European traditions, often performed in lively social settings that mirrored the country’s ethnic mosaic. Over the decades, the form absorbed influences from vaudeville, Broadway, and dance halls that pulsed with the beats of ragtime, swing, and bebop. The story of jazz dance is also the story of American society – always in motion and always hungry for the next groove.

Early Influences and Cultural Fusion
In the early 20th century, jazz dance took shape as a living conversation between African American social dances and the popular music of the day. Enslaved Africans brought dance forms steeped in strong rhythms, undulating torsos, and intricate footwork. These styles mixed with European partner dances and theatrical traditions that were spreading through vaudeville venues.

Ragtime music, with its emphatic syncopation, provided an ideal foundation for the freewheeling steps that would soon flourish on stages and in underground clubs. By the 1920s, the Charleston and the Lindy Hop embodied a new American spirit – free, exuberant, and never afraid to kick up its heels.

The Golden Age of Swing and Broadway
As big bands filled ballrooms in the 1930s and 1940s, swing dancing reigned supreme. This era gave birth to the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, where dancers meshed athletic aerials with playful footwork. Meanwhile, Hollywood showcased the visual flair of jazz dancers in musical films, and Broadway stages exploded with tap, toe-heel rhythms, and glitzy showstoppers. Jazz choreographers began introducing theatrical elements to traditional moves, linking them with narrative arcs and spectacular set designs. This cross-pollination of social dance, commercial performance, and theatrical storytelling propelled jazz dance to national prominence.

Influential Visionaries and Evolving Styles
The evolution of jazz dance owes much to influential jazz dancers whose styles and techniques gave new life and direction to the genre. These individuals are some of the key figures who helped shape the style, technique, and theatrical flair we associate with jazz dance today:

• Katherine Dunham: Anthropologist, dancer, and choreographer Katherine Dunham brought Afro-Caribbean traditions into mainstream dance. Her emphasis on polyrhythms, fluid hips, and grounded movement challenged prevailing norms, showcasing the cultural breadth and storytelling power that jazz dance could embody.
• Frankie Manning: Manning was a pioneering dancer and choreographer widely credited with shaping the Lindy Hop, an exuberant swing dance style that blossomed at Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom. Through his athletic aerial steps and joyful energy, Manning helped popularize social jazz dances that would inspire future generations of performers and dance lovers.
• Jack Cole: Often hailed as the “Father of Theatrical Jazz Dance,” Jack Cole blended Eastern movement influences with crisp technique and a touch of modern dance. He set the foundation upon which future choreographers built, forging a dynamic vocabulary that sparked the genre’s development.
• Bob Fosse: Fosse is recognized for his stylized gestures — turned-in knees, rolling shoulders, and coy glances — which infused an edgy sensuality into Broadway productions such as Chicago and Cabaret. His subversive themes and provocative choreography revolutionized the public perception of jazz dance.
• Luigi: Eugene Louis Faccuito, better known as Luigi, created a lyrical jazz method emphasizing alignment, balance, and fluid transitions. His structured approach instilled expressive elegance and injury-preventive fundamentals, ensuring that dancers could merge technical mastery with artistic flair.

Giordano Dance Chicago: A Legacy of Innovation
Among the storied institutions that have carried jazz dance into the modern era, Giordano Dance Chicago stands out for its bold energy, technical precision, and unwavering devotion to the art form. Founded in 1963 by Gus Giordano, a pioneering dancer and teacher, the company set out to legitimize jazz dance as an essential part of American cultural heritage. Giordano himself authored books, opened studios, and toured nationally, always championing the athletic and expressive qualities of jazz dance.

Throughout the years, Giordano Dance Chicago has built a rich repertoire that reflects its namesake’s emphasis on clarity of line, dynamic rhythms, and a powerful center of gravity. The dancers are often recognized for their rock-solid technique coupled with a distinctly contemporary flair. Over time, the company has embraced diverse choreographers whose pieces span percussive jazz, lyrical styles, and experimental fusions that fold in modern and street-dance influences. Despite these evolutions, the soul of Gus Giordano’s original vision remains at the heart of every performance.

Today, Giordano Dance Chicago honors tradition while pushing the boundaries of what jazz can be. Their technique demands supreme precision from head to toe but never loses the expressive warmth that makes jazz dance so inviting. Audiences often find themselves drawn to the artists’ focus on musicality, as each syncopated beat and melodic shift animates the dancers on stage. In an age when contemporary dance and hip-hop often overshadow classic jazz, Giordano Dance Chicago keeps the original flame burning, forging a direct link to a proud legacy that has shaped countless performers.

Experience Jazz at Gorton Center
If you’re itching to watch jazz dance live — or simply want to celebrate the music that fuels this effervescent art — keep an eye on the events at Gorton Center. We host a variety of performances, concerts, and workshops that spotlight jazz’s many faces, including Giordano Dance Chicago! Whether you’re a dedicated fan or just want to dip a toe into the lively currents of jazz dance and music, Gorton Center’s calendar offers an inviting glimpse into this timeless, ever-evolving tradition.

Gorton Center is a nonprofit center for the arts and a gathering place at the heart of Lake Forest, Illinois. We offer a wide range of classes, professional live music and events, and film screenings for all ages. Help us provide vibrant social experiences and exceptional arts and culture by supporting our work today!