Swing dancing is a vibrant and energetic family of dances that has captivated audiences for decades. Within this lively world, terms like Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Jive, and Charleston often get thrown around, leading to confusion even among seasoned dance enthusiasts. If you’ve ever wondered about the real differences between these styles, especially the elusive Jitterbug, you’re in the right place. Let’s unravel the history and characteristics of these exciting dances, focusing on what exactly defines the Jitterbug and how it fits into the broader swing dance landscape.
Tracing the Roots: The Swing Dance Family Tree
All swing dances share common ancestors and evolved from one another, which explains their visual similarities. It’s like a family tree where each branch represents a distinct style, yet all are connected to the same roots.
The Roaring Twenties: Charleston
Charleston emerged in the 1920s, during the Prohibition era, within the clandestine speakeasies. Famously associated with the flapper culture, it was initially danced solo or with partners as a rebellious expression. Considered quite daring at the time, Charleston is characterized by its bouncy rhythm and a basic step that includes a backward rock-step, a feature common to many swing dances. You’ll also notice twisting movements, high kicks, and jazzy arm styling. The music accompanying Charleston had a swing beat, often with a ragtime influence, reminiscent of tunes like “Hot Honey Rag” from Chicago. Today, Charleston steps often enrich Jive and Quickstep routines rather than being performed as a standalone dance. You might recognize Charleston-inspired leg flicks in Quickstep, like Mark Ballas’s move around the :55 mark in this Quickstep. For a classic Charleston performance, Mark Ballas and Melissa Rycroft’s routine in Season 9 of DWTS perfectly captures the 1920s flapper spirit and characteristic steps.
The Big Band Era: Lindy Hop
Lindy Hop sprung from Charleston during the big band era of the late 1920s to 1940s, flourishing in Harlem Renaissance hotspots like the Savoy and Cotton Club in New York. While its footwork shared similarities with Charleston, Lindy Hop incorporated elements from other vernacular dances like the Cakewalk and Texas Tommy. A key innovation was the “breakaway” or “throwaway” step, allowing for more open movements and partner interaction than Charleston. Lindy Hop also became known for its daring and improvisational nature. As wealthy white patrons frequented Harlem clubs, Lindy Hoppers amplified their performances, introducing increasingly spectacular lifts, flips, and aerial steps to entertain and impress. This led to dancers being hired to perform and teach Lindy Hop. It’s arguably the most visually impressive swing dance, with lifts becoming a signature element. For lift expertise, Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani’s Lindy Hop in DWTS Season 8 is a prime example. However, for capturing the authentic “feel” and basic steps of Lindy Hop, Ty Murray and Chelsie Hightower’s Lindy Hop is highly recommended.
The Murky Middle Ground: Jitterbug
The history of Jitterbug is less clear-cut. Initially, many early Lindy Hoppers, including Shorty Snowden and Frankie Manning, used “Jitterbug” to refer to what later became known as Lindy Hop before its official naming in 1928. This leads some to believe Jitterbug and Lindy Hop are essentially the same. However, other accounts suggest “Jitterbug” described an earlier Lindy style, pre-aerials, resembling a smoother, faster Charleston or East Coast Swing. Another theory posits that as Harlem Lindy Hoppers taught the dance to a wider, whiter audience, they simplified it, removing complex steps to make it more accessible, resulting in the Jitterbug. “Jitterbug” can also broadly refer to any swing dance. Confusing, right? It’s understandable!
If we consider Jitterbug as a distinct style, it’s likely a simplified, more accessible version of Lindy Hop, especially in the context of shows like DWTS. This video supposedly shows the basic Jitterbug step, which closely resembles single-time East Coast Swing. This reinforces the idea that Jitterbug might be another name for a similar dance. Jitterbug performances on DWTS often look very similar to Lindy Hop, perhaps with fewer lifts and a slightly slower tempo. The distinction is so subtle that it’s debatable whether they should be categorized as separate dances. Even professional dancers seem unsure. Remember when Derek Hough had to Google “Jitterbug” for choreography? This suggests a lack of clear definition, even within the dance community. Judge critiques for Jitterbug routines on DWTS seasons 7 and 9 were often vague, focusing on general energy rather than specific technique, further hinting that Jitterbug might be more of a “feel” incorporating elements from other swing dances rather than a strictly defined style. Popular Jitterbug routines on DWTS include Brooke Burke-Charvet and Derek Hough’s and Cody Linley and Julianne Hough’s from Season 7, although their exact classification remains open to interpretation.
Ballroom Refinement: Jive
Jive emerged as the swing craze swept across the US and Europe post-World War II. The ballroom community, seeking a more structured and “elegant” swing dance, developed Jive as a refined alternative. Adopted as the fifth International Latin dance in 1968, Jive is the most formalized swing dance. Its primary distinction lies in its strict regulation and syllabus of steps, contrasting with the improvisational nature of Lindy Hop. Jive’s characteristic bounce involves high knee lifts, less common in other swing dances. Due to its fast tempo, Jive is danced more in place compared to Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, or Charleston, as dancers have less time for extensive floor movement. Despite these differences, Jive retains swing dance elements. It shares the “triple step” swing rhythm and incorporates figures inspired by other swing styles, like the shadow stalking walk in Jive which echoes Charleston steps. Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough’s Jive in Season 10 of DWTS is often cited as a benchmark, showcasing Nicole’s high knees, slightly bent posture, and sharp, compact leg flicks.
Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough performing Jive on Dancing With The Stars, an exemplary performance highlighting key Jive techniques.
Expanding the Swing Family: East Coast and West Coast Swing
Briefly touching on East Coast and West Coast Swing broadens our understanding of the swing family. East Coast Swing is essentially a slower Jive, with a more grounded feel. Knees aren’t lifted as high, and its slower pace allows for more side-to-side movement. The basic step is similar to Jive – rock step back, triple step right, triple step left – but with subtle technique adjustments. While there were discussions about adding East Coast Swing to DWTS, it hasn’t materialized, likely due to its perceived similarity to Jive for casual viewers. West Coast Swing stands out as the most distinct. It’s a “slotted” dance, moving along a line, with the follower primarily moving and the leader remaining relatively stationary. While related to the Lindy Hop basic step, it’s slower and more fluid. Often described as “slinky,” West Coast Swing has minimal bounce, and the follower’s elastic back-and-forth motion allows for hip swivels, lending it a sensual quality. It’s also highly improvisational due to its slower tempo and basic walking rhythm. The basic West Coast Swing step is sometimes incorporated into Jive, highlighting the interconnectedness of swing dances. Buddy Schwimmer, Lacey Schwimmer’s father, is a celebrated figure in West Coast Swing, often called the “King of Swing.”
Swing Dance Styles: Key Differences Summarized
To recap, here’s a simplified overview of the key characteristics:
- Charleston: Early, carefree swing dance from the 1920s; characterized by wacky arms and legs.
- Lindy Hop: Energetic, fast swing dance with open movements and impressive lifts.
- Jitterbug: Bouncy, fun, and somewhat ambiguously defined; often seen as a simpler Lindy Hop or similar to East Coast Swing, with lively arms and legs and occasional lifts.
- Jive: Fast, compact, and bouncy ballroom swing dance with high knees and sharp leg movements.
- East Coast Swing: Slower, more grounded version of Jive, with a relaxed feel.
- West Coast Swing: Slowest, slinky, and improvisational swing dance, emphasizing a slotted movement and hip action.
Understanding the nuances of swing dances, especially the Jitterbug, can be tricky due to overlaps and evolving definitions. However, appreciating the history and characteristics of each style enriches your dance knowledge and enjoyment. Ultimately, the best way to understand these dances is to experience them – try a class, watch performances, and feel the infectious energy of swing!
