Lindy Hop & Jazz Dance

Willa Mae Ricker & Leon James, Life Magazine 1943

Lindy Hop is an energetic and rhythmic partner dance created by Black American dancers in Harlem, New York, during the late 1920s and early 1930s. As Swing Jazz music took hold of the nation in the 1930s and 1940s, Lindy Hop followed suit, becoming the defining social dance of the era.

Emerging during the Harlem Renaissance, Lindy Hop was influenced by earlier Black American dance forms, such as the Charleston, the Breakaway, and the Texas Tommy. While grounded in these historical movements, the modern Lindy Hop community continues to evolve, blending new steps and drawing on elements from a wide variety of related dance styles.

"Jazz dance" is a broad term that can refer many different styles, from early jazz dances like the Charleston to Broadway Jazz and newer styles like Jazz Funk. Because the term "jazz dance" can refer to so many different styles, there is ongoing debate about what to call the dances done to Swing Jazz music. Terms like Solo Jazz, Authentic Jazz, and simply Jazz are all commonly used to describe the style.

At Jazztime we emphasize teaching historical movements as the foundation of Lindy Hop and Jazz dance, ensuring that every dancer gains a solid understanding of the style's roots. Fun fact, the name Jazztime is the title of a clip in the dance documentary The Spirit Moves (see link below).

With tempos ranging from 100–300 BPM and endless opportunities for expression, Lindy Hop and Jazz remain beloved dances around the world. Lucky for you, Seattle is home to one of the largest and most vibrant swing dance communities in the country!

Resources:

The Spirit Moves - Archival footage of original Lindy Hop & Jazz dancers at the Savoy Ballroom and in studio demonstrating a wide range of 20th century social dances

Swungover Blog - Well researched blog written by Bobby White, a respected swing dancer, instructor, and historian

Vintage Clips - Playlist with dozens of vintage Lindy Hop & Jazz dance clips

Lost Heritage from Jazz to Hip Hop - Talk by Professor Moncell Durden on the connection between Jazz and Hip Hop

Duke Ellington & Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers in the 1941 soundie “Hot Chocolate”