Vernacular Jazz aka Solo Jazz aka Authentic Jazz aka African American Vernacular Jazz aka Jazz Roots, refers to black vernacular dances styles ranging from Cake Walk and Charleston through to Be-bop and early rock and roll. Unlike Broadway Jazz, it has limited influences from ballet. It sometimes, but not always, indicates dancing without a partner (rather than dancing with a partner, like Lindy Hop). Solo Jazz can be improvised or choreographed. It ranges from sly and slinky to aerobic and goofy.
Lindy Hop was is a vernacular jazz dance created by working class Afro-American people in Harlem in the 1930's. Lindy Hop, variously known as swing dance or even “the Jitterbug” is danced with a partner to classic big band music, swampy New Orleans jazz, or even Motown.
I started Lindy Hopping in 2009 in Baltimore. I was invited to train with Gaurdian Baltimore which encouraged my anthropological thinking about social dance forms in the 21st century. After attending many swing dance events and festivals all over the world, including Stompology, Herrang, ILHC, and more I created Ragtag Empire with Heather Houde in 2017. We host parties, teach classes, and share history. Today, Ragtag works is a sub-program of Urban Movemenet Arts, as well as independently producing events and parties.
My academic research interests are focused on jazz in the vaudeville era, particularly Ida Forsyne as well as the influence of jazz on the advent of the ballroom dance industry and ‘Modern’ dance.
www.ragtagempire.com
photo credits: Jerry Almonte (color) Tyler Sakil (black and white)