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Where did the Jive come from?
Because of the 1994 movie "The Mask" starring Jim Carrey, swing dancing made a major comeback. The movie had one of the greatest dance scenes ever between Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. Also know as the Jitterbug, swing dancing comes in a variety of flavors but the most energetic is the Jive.
For some reason, it is one of the five dances in the International Latin Category (even though it's not a Latin dance). Because of the amount of energy required to perform it properly, the Jive is danced last in the evening. The music is played at 44 bars per minute and dancers are judges by the intensity of their performances. It is a 4/4 partner dance.
Bands led by African Americans such as Cab Calloway and Count Basie provided the impetus for the Jive in the 1930s. For example, Cab Calloway's 1939 song "The Jumping Jive" with his scat "lyrics," became synonymous with Jive. Even though it's a tap number, there's a great video featuring Cab himself at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yGGtVKrD8 .
Unlike other swing dances like the Lindy Hop and the East Coast Swing, African Americans preferred stylish leg kicks and a furious pace to acrobatic lifts and throws which are not found in Jive. Throws and lifts would dominate Swing again later in the 1950's. Swing was also known as the Jitterbug, and this style was sometimes called the Jitterbug Jive or just the Jive. American soldiers took the Jive to England in the 1940's and the English put their own spin on it, simplifying it a bit, resulting in the Boogie Woogie and Swing Boogie.
There are similarities between the Jive and other swing dances, but there are also very big differences. Some of the same movements can be used, but it's at a highly syncopated rhythm and a faster pace. For example, the triple step in the East Coast Swing is replaced with a chasse in Jive. It still uses the three steps but in a more fluid and bouncy manner. You have to glide at a exponentially fast rate.
For some reason, it is one of the five dances in the International Latin Category (even though it's not a Latin dance). Because of the amount of energy required to perform it properly, the Jive is danced last in the evening. The music is played at 44 bars per minute and dancers are judges by the intensity of their performances. It is a 4/4 partner dance.
Bands led by African Americans such as Cab Calloway and Count Basie provided the impetus for the Jive in the 1930s. For example, Cab Calloway's 1939 song "The Jumping Jive" with his scat "lyrics," became synonymous with Jive. Even though it's a tap number, there's a great video featuring Cab himself at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8yGGtVKrD8 .
Unlike other swing dances like the Lindy Hop and the East Coast Swing, African Americans preferred stylish leg kicks and a furious pace to acrobatic lifts and throws which are not found in Jive. Throws and lifts would dominate Swing again later in the 1950's. Swing was also known as the Jitterbug, and this style was sometimes called the Jitterbug Jive or just the Jive. American soldiers took the Jive to England in the 1940's and the English put their own spin on it, simplifying it a bit, resulting in the Boogie Woogie and Swing Boogie.
There are similarities between the Jive and other swing dances, but there are also very big differences. Some of the same movements can be used, but it's at a highly syncopated rhythm and a faster pace. For example, the triple step in the East Coast Swing is replaced with a chasse in Jive. It still uses the three steps but in a more fluid and bouncy manner. You have to glide at a exponentially fast rate.
About the Author:
Tony and Melanie have been dancing, teaching, developing and creating amazing choreography for over 30 years. The run New York City's premier dance center If you interested in learning more history of any dances make sure you check out their site. They are now teaching dance lessons in NYC.