Jazz Funk Dance can be a tricky style to define. It’s a vibrant and dynamic form that blends elements from various dance genres, making it both exhilarating and expressive. To truly understand what Jazz Funk is all about, we’ll break down its origins, characteristics, and what makes it such a unique and captivating style.
Emerging in the 1980s, Jazz Funk, sometimes referred to as Street Jazz, grew out of the increasing popularity of Hip Hop dance and its growing commercial influence. This style is a melting pot, drawing inspiration and movements from a wide range of dance disciplines. You’ll see traces of ballet, modern, hip hop, and lyrical dance all woven together into a funky and energetic tapestry. Jazz Funk takes “little bits and pieces” from these diverse genres and molds them into a style that’s not only incredibly fun to perform but also allows for a great deal of personal expression.
Many movements in Jazz Funk have roots in traditional Jazz dance. Think of classic jazz techniques like isolations – moving individual body parts independently – and a strong emphasis on flexibility. Syncopation, or off-beat rhythms, is also key, giving Jazz Funk its signature groove. You’ll see dancers perform relevés (rising onto the balls of the feet), pirouettes (turns), rolled shoulders, and expressive “jazz hands.”
However, Jazz Funk isn’t just Jazz with a new name. It also incorporates foundational Hip Hop movements. Like Jazz, Hip Hop emphasizes isolations and flexibility, and it also utilizes syncopated rhythms, especially with the evolution of pop, dubstep, and R&B music. The crucial difference lies in the approach. Hip Hop often employs a lower center of gravity, with dancers feeling grounded and connected to the floor. Movements are frequently performed on the beat or “riding the beat,” giving it a distinct rhythmic feel.
When these two powerful styles, Jazz and Hip Hop, are combined, the result is a fascinating hybrid. Jazz Funk becomes a dance style that engages both the body and the mind. It can be deeply lyrical, allowing for emotional interpretation through movement. A Jazz Funk routine might seamlessly transition from graceful shuffles to sharp, intense isolations in the blink of an eye. The dynamic range is part of its allure – movements can be fluid and soft one moment, and then powerful and sharp the next, before softening again. Ultimately, Jazz Funk is about storytelling through your body, expressing narratives and emotions with every move.
If you’re curious to see Jazz Funk in action, exploring online videos is a great way to get a feel for the style. Witnessing the energy and dynamism firsthand can truly bring the definition to life. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just starting out, Jazz Funk offers a fantastic avenue for exploring movement, musicality, and self-expression.
