Women Who Got Jazz!

Walk into any jazz dance class and you will undoubtedly see the male to female ratio  far from balanced. Women outnumber the men 10 to 1 (admittedly impressive enough numbers to make a certain 13 year-old boy I once knew quit the wrestling team and start dancing). But, if you take a look at the list of past and current jazz dance pioneers you find names like Jack, Matt, Luigi, Gus, Billy, Bob, Danny, and James. . . well, not really - but maybe someday. So, where are all the women in jazz?

They are right here! But before I go and introduce you to some of these incredible ladies of jazz, I want to say a few things about the apparent male dominated presence in jazz dance.

Jazz dance is wholly an American art form. It reflects the pulse of the American people more directly than any other form of dance. Until the women's lib movement of the 1960's started to shake things up, leadership positions were male dominated.

While the early pioneers of modern dance were women (and rebels by definition), jazz dance did not follow suit. Modern was the voice of the nonconformist and jazz that of the people. In jazz dance, men were encouraged to choreograph and be directors. Women were encouraged to look pretty. 

Sad? Yes. A thing completely in the past? Unfortunately, no. Some vestiges of our biased history still exist. But as a wise old prophet once said, "Times they are a'changin."

Since the sixties, women have had an incredible impact on jazz dance. I am not just referring to those that made a name as performers. Women have shaped today's jazz dance scene by being innovative teachers, brilliant choreographers, and impassioned champions of this dance form.

Let's start with a look at the famous jazz dance techniques. We have ole Father Jack Cole's animalistic and explosive style which led to protégé Matt Mattox's angular and sharp technique. Playing yin to Mattox's yang is the languid fluidity of Luigi. Add to the list Gus Giordano's modern and yoga influenced classical jazz dance and our list is almost complete. But there is one more:

Simonson Jazz Technique, created by Lynn Simonson, is the official jazz technique of DanceSpace (in Manhattan) and is taught in 16 countries throughout the world. Simonson began creating her technique in the mid 1960's. The technique itself is designed to train dancers independent of style. The body is trained in an anatomically healthy way that allows students to adapt to any style of the more than 32 flavors of jazz dance.

Nominees:   Kathleen Marshall Kiss Me, Kate Susan Stroman Contact   Susan Stroman The Music Man   Lynne Taylor-Corbett Swing!

Kate Marshall, who choreographed Kiss Me Kate, has choreographed 5 Broadway shows as well as numerous national tours. 

Lynne Taylor-Corbett, choreographer and director of Swing!, choreographs for musical theater and concert dance, having set many pieces for professional ballet and modern companies. For her choreography of the Broadway musical Chess she chose breakdance and hip-hop legend Mr. Wiggles to dance the role of the Bronze Statue. 

Broadway powerhouse Graciela Daniele choreographed another currently running musical, Marie Christie. Graciela, who also choreographed Ragtime, danced and worked alongside Bob Fosse for many years. Her list of credits is exhaustive.

As the ninth life comes to an end on Broadway for the musical Cats, I would be amiss not to mention choreographer Gillian Lynne. Lynne is most noted for directing and choreographing the 'once thought to be immortal' feline festival of song and dance as well as for her staging of Phantom of the Opera. Lynne has choreographed over 50 Broadway and West End shows!

In both the world of concert dance and commercial dance Mia Michaels is red hot. Her company, Mia Michaels R.A.W., bursts onto the stage with dynamic energy and animalistic power. In addition to choreographing for her company, Mia has done television and videos. Mia's spunky spirituality and earthy approach allow her to cross over between concert and commercial dance with enormous success.

I could go on forever listing the women who deserve to be recognized for their impact on the world of jazz dance. As the winds of time continue to blow we will undoubtedly find more and more women shaping the face of this art form. 

I know I am probably breaching some unspoken rule of patriarchal society by saying so (sorry guys), but we should encourage our female students to take on the roles of choreographers and directors. Let's replace the stereotype of a female jazz dancer as a feathered, topless Vegas showgirl with that of an innovative and respected choreographer, teacher, and director.