지그 워크 역사
How the jig walk came about!
The Jig derives its name from "gigg" or "giga", the name of a short piece of music much in vogue (Vogue meaning: the prevailing fashion or style at a particular time) in olden times, which was of a joyous lively character, and consisted of two parts of eight bars each, and these of the shortest notes.
The "Gigue" borrowed its name in the 17th century from the English Jig, which actually comes from the old French word "giguer" (to dance)
"Jig" has many meanings in English, often related to giving rapid, jerky movements. One definition of "jig" is any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm.
"Jig" was a folk dance, usually solo (but also danced hand in hand), that was popular in Scotland and northern England in the 16th and 17th centuries and in Ireland since the 18th century. It is an improvised dance performed with rapid footwork and a rigid torso. With this dance the torso is kept still while the legs keep in time to the music. The best dancer was usually the person who could keep in time to the fastest music!
According to many written articles, Master Juba (William Henry Lane) was the first African-American to dance the Jig in the United States in the 1830s.
Now... who is "Master Juba"?
Before the end of the Civil War, black and white performers were rarely allowed to appear on Stage together, with the exception of Master Juba (William Henry Lane.) Master Juba was known as the "Danciest fellow there ever was." (The best dancer). Lane was a free born negro born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1825. It is said Lane learned how to dance from a saloon and dance hall dancer "Uncle" Jim Lowe.
Now living and working in New York's 'Five Points district' namely "Paradise Square" which was packed with Irish immigrants and "Free Negro slaves." Lane would learn to Jig from the Irish as well as copy all the other dancers styles and creatively mixed these diverse dance styles together. As a Jig and Buck and Wing dancer he was already considered the best dancer of all time.
Lane won every competition against any other great dancer and was brought out as a professional dancer with great success throughout the United States, the handbills (small printed advertisements) basically described him as a God of the dance. He toured America, toured Europe and even met the Queen! An amazing feat considering he was black and living in very racist times.
The dance that Juba danced likely incorporated both European folk steps, such as the Irish Jig, and African-derived steps used by plantation slaves, such as the walkaround. Juba was highly influential on the development of such American dance styles as tap, jazz, and step dancing.
Learning this it seems highly likely that Master Juba has a huge influence on vernacular jazz as we know it! Learning this history sure is fun!
(Fun fact: These days the "jig dance" is commonly known as "Irish dancing".)
(Sources/출처 : streetswing.com, Wikipedia, YouTube)
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