Jazz dance in motion, chapter 3
In this post, we explore how jazz dance continued to evolve through three dynamic decades. The 1950s brought a new seriousness to musical theatre, with dance becoming a powerful tool for storytelling and character development in films like Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, and Singin’ in the Rain. The 1960s saw the rise of social dance and television’s influence, with new styles like the Twist and Hustle emerging alongside the continued growth of professional jazz technique. By the 1970s, jazz dance had fully embraced both stage and screen, with iconic musicals like Cabaret and Saturday Night Fever, and choreographers like Bob Fosse redefining the genre with bold, stylized movement.
1950s: Dance as Drama
The 1950s ushered in a new attitude in musical theatre—audiences began craving stories with more serious themes. Musicals like Guys and Dolls (1950) introduced a new kind of American musical comedy, where dance was used not just for spectacle but to advance the storyline. This narrative approach was further developed in films like An American in Paris (1951) and Singin’ in the Rain (1952), both choreographed by Gene Kelly, who brought elegance and emotional depth to jazz dance on screen.
Dance also became a powerful tool for characterization. In West Side Story (1957), choreographer Jerome Robbins used jazz dance to portray the brutality and bravado of rival street gangs and the vibrant energy of Latin culture.
Meanwhile, the rise of rock and roll, led by artists like Elvis Presley, and TV shows like American Bandstand, introduced new social dances such as the Madison, Birdland, Bop, Locomotion, Chicken, and Mashed Potato. Interestingly, many of these were throwbacks to earlier styles—Chicken parodied the Lindy Hop, while Mashed Potato echoed the Charleston.
One of the era’s most influential figures was Matt Mattox, a gifted dancer and choreographer who developed a unique jazz technique characterized by body isolations, sharp angular movements, accents, and turns.
Notable choreographers and performers of the 1950s:
- Gene Kelly
- Michael Kidd
- Debbie Reynolds
- Cyd Charisse
- Jerome Robbins
- Matt Mattox
Key films from the 1950s:
- Guys and Dolls (1950)
- An American in Paris (1951)
- Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
- The Bandwagon (1953)
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
- West Side Story (1957)
1960s: The Rise of Social Dance and Television
The 1960s saw a boom in social dancing. By 1965, the U.S. had nearly 5,000 discotheques, and dance studios flourished. Television played a major role in popularizing dance, with music shows regularly featuring dancers and choreographed numbers.
New dance styles emerged, including the Twist, which involved hip movements and non-contact partner dancing. It was easy to learn and attracted adult participants. Songs like Twist Again by Chubby Checker became cultural staples.
Youth culture embraced Motown music, often choreographing chorus sections into line dances. The famous Stroll later evolved into the Hustle. The arrival of The Beatles brought a fresh wave of dance enthusiasm, especially among teens.
TV shows like Shindig, Hullabaloo, and Laugh-In, along with surf music from The Beach Boys, inspired dances like the Swim, Jerk, Monkey, and Hitchhiker. The psychedelic movement and hippie culture also introduced solo improvisational dance, often accompanied by light shows and experimental music.
Television gave dancers regular income and expanded career opportunities, contributing to the growth of professional jazz dance. Two major figures emerged:
- Eugene Louis Facciuto (Luigi)
- Gus Giordano
Both became renowned for developing jazz dance technique and choreography.
Despite the explosion of social dance, jazz dance maintained a strong presence on Broadway. Notable productions included Cabaret (choreographed by Ron Field) and Sweet Charity (choreographed by Bob Fosse).
Key choreographers of the 1960s:
- Ron Field
- Bob Fosse
- Luigi
- Gus Giordano
Notable film:
- Man of La Mancha (1966)
1970s: Jazz dance meets pop culture
The 1970s brought jazz dance into the heart of pop culture. Musicals like Grease, A Chorus Line, and Chicago showcased jazz dance in new, dynamic ways. The film Saturday Night Fever (1977) had a massive impact, turning John Travolta into a dance icon and bringing disco-infused jazz to the mainstream.
The decade was dominated by Bob Fosse, whose choreography was slick, erotic, and intense. His style was highly personal and instantly recognizable, leaving a lasting mark on both Broadway and Hollywood. In 1972, he won an Oscar and a BAFTA for directing Cabaret.
“Fosse’s style was distinct, highly creative and often included bizarre movements. His choreography was slick, erotic, and intense. He was a one-man jazz phenomenon.” — Jumping into Jazz
Another major development was the rise of breakdance, which began in the early 1970s in the South Bronx. Though rooted in street culture, breakdance had a significant influence on jazz dance. It incorporated elements from West African traditions and included styles like:
- Braking: floor-based moves like windmills and footwork
- Freestyle: gymnastic and disco-inspired lifts
- Electric Boogie: flowing, wave-like movements
- Egyptian: stylized poses inspired by ancient art
- Floating: illusionary steps like the moonwalk
Jazz dance also expanded into fitness culture, merging with exercise to create aerobic dance classes, making movement more accessible and social.
Key figures of the 1970s:
- Michael Bennett
- Bob Fosse
- John Travolta
Notable films:
- Cabaret (1972)
- Saturday Night Fever (1977)
- All That Jazz (1979)
Egyptian Influence
By the 1970s, breakdance had become a major influence on jazz dance. Interestingly, breakdance itself drew inspiration from Egyptian art and movement aesthetics, adding another layer of cultural depth to jazz’s evolution.
Closing thoughts
From the narrative-driven musicals of the 1950s to the social dance explosion of the 1960s and the pop-cultural dominance of the 1970s, jazz dance continued to evolve, adapt, and inspire.
Jazz dance in the mid-20th century was a mirror of its time—bold, expressive, and constantly reinventing itself. Whether on Broadway, in film, or on the streets, jazz dance reflected the energy and diversity of American culture. Each decade brought new influences, technologies, and cultural shifts that shaped the way jazz dance was taught, performed, and experienced. Whether through the elegance of Gene Kelly, the intensity of Bob Fosse, or the raw energy of breakdance, jazz dance remained a powerful form of storytelling and self-expression. In the next post, we’ll explore how jazz dance entered the modern era, influenced by contemporary styles, global fusion, and the rise of commercial dance in the 1980s and beyond.
