Famous Jazz Dancers

Early Jazz Dancers

Jazz dance has its roots in the Afro-American culture and tap dance of the late 1800s to the mid 1900s. As it evolved and developed, jazz dance grew in popularity as the dance form of films and Broadway shows. Famous dancers from the early years of jazz include Jack Cole, Katherine Dunham and Lester Horton. Each of these jazz legends are remembered as great choreographers and performers, unsurpassed in their skills and accomplishments in jazz dance.

Jack Cole

Considered the Father of Jazz Dance Techniqueand The Father of Theater Dance, Jack Cole (1911-1974) had his beginning as a modern dancer. Switching to jazz style dance during the Great Depression, he was the first dancer to combine the popular jazz steps of the time, aspects of modern dance and ethnic influences creating artistic and technical jazz dance. He was the first jazz dancer to formalize a theatrical jazz dance technique. His style of dance was explosive and animalistic, full of emotion and movement.

Katherine Dunham

Known as the Matriarch of Black Dance, Katherine Dunham (1909 - 2006) founded the first major black modern dance company in America. Integrating the syncopated rhythms of Haiti, Cuba, Brazil and the Caribbean into American dance, she is credited with inventing the technique of body isolationism and incorporating it into her dance style. Katherine Dunham’s influence and dance technique had a huge impact on the world of jazz dance. Today almost all jazz dancers use her technique in their dance.

Lester Horton

One of the great pioneers of modern and jazz dance, Lester Horton (1906 – 1953) developed his own unique style of dance choreography and technique. He was very adept at translating Native American and ethnic dances into dances that worked well in films of the 1940s and early 1950s. The influence of Lester Horton is seen in the works of Carmen deLavallade, Alvin Ailey, Arthur Mitchell and James Truitte.

More Well Known Early Jazz Dancers

• Joe Frisco, famous in the early 1900s, is well known for his trademark dance. He danced with very loose limbs and very close to the floor while juggling his hat and cigar.
• Cholly Atkins (1913 – 2003), well known jazz dancer and choreographer is known for his combined use of jazz dance, rhythm tap, musical theater, jazz music and rhythm and blues. His work was the embodiment of it all put together.
• Martha Graham

The Transition to Modern Jazz Dance of Today

The 1950s saw jazz dance evolve into what we know today as modern jazz dance. This transition was the result of gradual changes in style of Broadway choreographers. Famous jazz dancers from this era include:

• Matt Mattox, a protégé of Jack Cole, known for his angular and sharp technique.
• Luigi whose dance style is known for beautiful fluid movements.
• Gus Giordano dances with an elegant mixture of modern dance and yoga influenced by classical jazz dance.
• Al Gilbert
• June Taylor
• Claude Thompson

As the famous dancers of this era taught their skills to younger generations, the world of jazz dance continued to evolve.

• Bob Fosse (1927 – 1987) was one of the most well known names in jazz dance. He choreographed his first dance in a nightclub when he was only 15. For the next 25 years, Fosse’s name was almost synonymous with jazz dance.
• Joe Tremaine studied with many of the great dancers of the 1960s and was mentored by Claude Thompson. Having appeared in many films and Broadway shows, Tremaine later was cast by June Taylor as one of the eight male dancers on the Jackie Gleason Show. He later became known as the dance teacher of the stars working with such names as Diana Ross, Goldie Hawn, Barry Manilow and Cameron Diaz.
• Lynn Simonson created the famed Simonson Jazz Technique. Taught in 16 countries, her technique trains dancers regardless of their style. Her method is the official one taught at Manhattan’s DanceSpace.
• Carmen deLavallade
• Alvin Ailey
• Arthur Mitchell
• James Truitte

Famous Jazz Dancers of Today

There are many excellent jazz dancers and choreographers of today that will be remembered for their contributions in years to come. These include:

• Mia Michaels
• Gillian Lynn
• Graciela Daniele
• Lynne Taylor-Corbett
• Kate Marshall
• Susan Stroman
• Barry Lather
• Joe Lantieri
• Joe Orlando

Final Thoughts

Many of the famous jazz dancers have gone on to become legends of their time. Through dancing, choreographing and teaching, they have passed on a legacy that will continue to live on through the art of jazz dance.