The Essential Guide to Jazz Dance by Dollie Henry and Paul Jenkins

Any teacher delivering jazz dance for BTEC, A Level courses or for dance schools would find this book indispensable. There are 9 chapters covering the roots and lineage of jazz dance, tap dance, jazz music, modern jazz dance, jazz dance in the 21st century, education, training and development, an exercise programme for the jazz dancer, keynotes for teaching jazz dance and creating jazz dance. Almost every page has a colour photo or illustration enhancing and demonstrating what is being explained. There are over 240 photographs helping make the book accessible to students. It is perfect for a class of students of GCSE or A Level dance and has a useful section on jazz dance practitioners including Jack Cole, Michael Kidd, Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse, Gene Kelly, Alvin Ailey and Michael Bennett among others. All aspects of training and performance are covered.

The chapter on jazz music gives a clear and useful history of the form including styles and key players. In the further reading and resources section, there is a list of worthy jazz music artists and composers so the reader can start widening their listening experience of the music. This is followed by an extremely helpful list of performing arts colleges and universities that offer dance programmes in the UK, US and Europe. How often is a dance teacher asked for this type of list by a student considering their next step?

This is exactly what my A Level dance students have been asking for – a text book with everything in one place. Having read the book, I did not hesitate to order a set of 30 copies so each of my students will have access to this outstanding resource.