Solo Jazz is a general term that can refer to anything from the pre-Cake Walk dances to the post-war era material linked with be-bop as well as rhythm 'n' blues music. In modern terminology, it often refers to dancing without a partner rather than dancing with a partner, and it comes without any influences of ballet or any other modern contemporary techniques. Solo Jazz can be danced freely and improvised or in routines such as Shim Sham Shimmy, Big Apple or Tranky Doo.
Origin: various places and time periods all over the U.S., but taken to a peak in Harlem, New York City in the 1920s, 30s and 40s.
Music: all kinds of jazz and jazz-related music.
Synonyms: Vernacular Jazz, Authentic Jazz and Original Jazz.
Film clips: Keep Punchin' (1938), Stormy Weather (1943) and Spirit Moves (1950).
This course is for anybody from beginners to more experienced dancers who are interested in learning solo jazz steps with roots in 1930s Harlem, New York. The teachers will challenge you according to your level of experience, and the classes are designed to introduce the fundamental structure of basic steps (typical for choreographies from this era) as well as the variations and rhythmical add-ons for these steps in varying degrees of difficulty. You will choose which level of difficulty is suitable for you, so self-knowledge and the ability to self-assess is a useful asset in these classes. The focus of this program is to create your own individual styling, and will suit everyone regardless of previous experience.
Available: Week 2
This is where an average old-school jazz dancer with decent knowledge of traditional solo steps and traditional routines will feel comfortable. The level will for sure deal with rhythmical fundamentals, but will also challenge you with new material, expressions and variations. The material will cover choreographed pieces, combinations, traditional steps as well as some slightly faster music here and there.
Available: Week 1
If the intermediate level will open doors to new rooms, this level will offer full entrance and presence inside the rooms. Dancers on this level should be able to somehow understand and speak the physical language of swing, and be familiar with lots of traditional solo jazz steps and routines. This program will generally focus on elements around improvisation and the development of sensitivity in connection to the music.
Available: Week 3
This special program is meant for dancers coming to Herräng with a specific goal in mind: to become better, not primarily as social dancers, but as performers and contestants. The programme is meant for dancers who are on at least a general intermediate advanced level and up, and will be based on challenging material focusing on the stage aspects of dancing including execution, presence, partner work, choreographies and other general material as well as exercises around spotlight situations.
Available: Week 2
