| What is the jazz style of dance and where did it | | | | and search around for a number of different reviews |
| come from? Well, up until the mid 1950's when it was | | | | to make an assessment, ask the sales clerk and go |
| introduced to wider audiences through Broadway and | | | | on dancing forums and pose the question. After all, |
| the works of Bob Fosse (who brought us Chicago | | | | the shoes need to be of the best quality for a |
| and Cabaret) it was thought to be dancing to jazz | | | | budding dancer so in the long run they help to |
| music. However over time, jazz has evolved and has | | | | protect the dancer's feet and ankles whilst they are |
| been influenced by a great many styles, including the | | | | performing the many technical and physically |
| Charleston, the Jitterbug and the Boogie Woogie. | | | | demanding steps required in jazz dancing. It is true to |
| When it comes to the modern style of jazz, it is true | | | | say that the majority of jazz dancers will opt for |
| to say that this form of dance has been heavily | | | | leather jazz shoes, so this is probably a good place |
| influenced by other dances styles including acro, | | | | to start. Jazz shoes are not just for jazz dance, jazz |
| ballet, contemporary, lyrical and, most recently, | | | | shoes are also sometimes used in the following dance |
| hip-hop. | | | | styles; acrobatic, hip hop, aerobics, acro dance, |
| So now onto jazz dancing itself and what it can | | | | etc. |
| involve. In order to become successful as dancer it is | | | | As you continue to search the internet and stockists |
| essential to train. Like any form of exercise a warm | | | | you will see that there is a wide variety of jazz |
| up and stretching of the muscles so as to prevent | | | | shoes available, each type comes with its own set of |
| injuries, is very important. In addition, core | | | | attributes. So it is key to assess which pair will be the |
| strengthening exercises are often used for | | | | most suitable option. Examples of the styles available |
| conditioning. | | | | include; high-rise and low-rise slip-ons or |
| As in most forms of dance, technique is the | | | | lace-up Oxfords. If you opt for a pair of split-sole |
| foundation for all modern jazz dance movement. | | | | shoes then the dancer will be to take advantage of |
| Dancers who have mastered jazz dance technique | | | | the extra foot flexibility this pair offers. Other jazz |
| are then free to focus on the stylistic and | | | | shoes have a suede patch, which is proven to be |
| performance aspects of dance. | | | | beneficial when needing to perform faster turns, |
| So what do you need to start jazz? Well, this all | | | | especially on plastic surfaces. Jazz shoes can even |
| starts with clothing and the jazz shoes are vital. | | | | come with shock-absorption heels, generally the heels |
| When looking to buy your first pair of jazz shoes it is | | | | are made of a hard rubber which is both hard |
| very important that you fully research what | | | | wearing but provides a degree of grip. |
| attributes the shoes should have, use the internet | | | | |