Is Jazz an American Dance Form?
Discuss Jazz or Tap Dance as an “American” Art form.
Assignment
Write a formal essay that reacts to the above statement by drawing on the history, trajectory, practices and legacies of prominent contributors and artists of Jazz or Tap dance in America.
Choose either Jazz or Tap to focus your essay on – NOT BOTH.
Objectives
To research and understand the historical origins and trajectory of Jazz or Tap dance in America.
To discuss how Jazz or Tap dance is descendant from African dance traditions.
To illustrate and support your findings you may want to consider:
Discussing the historical roots of specific stylistic characteristics of Jazz or Tap dance that we know today.
Identifying influential artists in the field and discuss how their contributions or careers shaped the development of Jazz or Tap dance in America.