History of Jazz and Dance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

History of Jazz and Dance - Essay Example Traditional dance steps such as the Waltz and Foxtrot remained popular. Films produced during this era began to included the dance moves of actors such as Rudolph Valentino, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The popularity of dance and development of new steps continued through the Great Depression Era. Jazz music continued to change and evolve during this time, leading to the Cool Jazz and Funk of the 1950s. Jazz music initially came from New Orleans in the early 1920s, though it quickly spread to other cities such as Chicago and New York. Musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington began performing in New York City. New clubs such as the Cotton Club in 1923 and the Savoy Ballroom in 1926 opened in Harlem. Duke Ellington’s band Became the ‘house band’ of the Cotton Club. The Savoy featured Jazz artists like Bennie Goodman, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk. Most of the well known Jazz artists later introduced new styles of music such as Be-bop at the clubs. New York city was not the only place that began to celebrate Jazz music and the new dances of the time. Many artists also made their way north to Chicago. Some of the well known artists of the time like Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines actually recorded music in the Windy City, which helped to increase the popularity of Jazz. Many more local groups formed in smaller cities through the Midwest during the 1920s and 1930s. Kansas City is home to the Count Basie Orchestra. Along with the new form of musical expression which became so popular came new styles in dance and dress.