Black Dance Archives: Jerry Barry IDJ

*Black Dance Archives Postcards: Jerry Barry IDJ IDJ, or 'I Dance Jazz', were arguably the most successful dance crew of the genre, appearing in music videos, feature films (Absolute Beginners, released 1986), and eventually performing in front of an estimated 44 million viewers worldwide at the Nelson Mandela: An International Tribute for a Free South Africa (1990 at Wembley Stadium). Old school jazz dance (also known as UK jazz dance) refers to the improvised dancing style that originated in the UK in the 1970s. The style grew in clubs in the UK, mainly in London and in northern cities, with the sounds of bebop, Afro-Cuban jazz, fusion, swing and other Latin-influenced jazz and funk. It predates hip hop and breakdancing – the American dance culture, which didn't reach the U.K. shores until 1982–1983. Jazz dancing has similarities to breakdancing, but essentially it is not the same. It started in heart of second generation African Caribbean-African homes and community venue preceding the takeoff in the heart of cities, nightclubs and discos all over the country. Built on the dance steps and spirit of celebration of their first generation (1950s, 1960s) immigrant parents; who were connoisseur record collectors; top-dancers and fashion icons who pioneered the underground live music and sound system scene. Second generation were encouraged in early learning (by first-generation parents) to value improvising to their own freestyle music of their day modern and swing jazz; blues; ska; RnB; calypso; soul; rocksteady; rock 'n' roll; reggae; gospel; country 'n' western. Film: Franklyn Lane Films www.franklynlane.com http://www.stateoftrust.net/ http://www.stateofemergencyltd.com/