Jive

Jive is a form of dance that originated in the United States in the early 1930s. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance. Jive is often associated with the music genre swing, but it can be performed to a variety of music genres including rock and roll, country music, and blues.

History

Jive originated among African Americans in the United States, specifically in the black communities of the East Coast. It was initially danced to jazz and swing music. The dance form was popularized in mainstream American culture by white musicians and dancers in the 1940s. During World War II, American soldiers introduced Jive to Europe where it was embraced, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Characteristics

Jive is characterized by its energetic and bouncy movements. It includes a variety of steps and patterns, such as the "rock step" and the "triple step". The dance is performed with a partner and involves a significant amount of improvisation. The lead (typically the man) guides the follow (typically the woman) through the dance, signaling upcoming moves through subtle cues in his body movement.

Influence and Legacy

Jive has had a significant influence on many other dance forms. It is one of the five dances of the Latin dance category in International Style ballroom dance competitions. The dance has also influenced the development of other social dances, including Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie.

See Also

• Swing (dance)
• Ballroom dance
• Latin dance
• Rock and roll

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