How did jack cole influence jazz dance
What is jack cole known for...
Jack Cole, one of the greatest yet least known jazz choreographers is thought of by some as the father of theatrical jazz dance, responsible for the jazz we know today. He was the influencer behind huge choreographic names such as Bob Fosse, with his work reaching the likes of modern dance greats Alvin Ailey and Jerome Robbins.
Jack cole dance style
Cole worked to create the style of jazz that is still widely received today, on Broadway, in Hollywood movie musicals and in music videos.
Cole was born in 1911 (he lived until 1974) and studied, as many did modern dance pioneers, with the Denishawn Dance Company under Ruth St Denis and Ted Shawn in the early twentieth century.
Cole went on to make his professional debut in 1930, but abandoned modern dance for a more commercial style of dancing on Broadway and in movies. Jazz, at this point, was hugely popular, but did not employ any use of technique.
As a result, Cole began to create his own style of modern dance.
He continued to work with modern dancers D