The Detroit Jit
From fists to fires to fame and cheering fans, Detroit is rooted in a very rich history that is preserved in more than just its brick and mortar buildings. Detroit's resilient communities have not forgotten the ups and downs from the past, much of which is very transparent today.
Detroit has dealt with the changing climates of the city in a variety of different ways, many of which has changed the world. Whereas the Motown sound communicated Detroit's story through music, the Detroit Jit showed it with dance.
Born in an area of Detroit known as the "Black Bottom", the Detroit jit was more than just a dance. It was the physical expression of the pains and joys the Detroit community faced from the early 1900's, through the 1960's and onwards. Deanna Dunham of Hard Core Detroit discusses the Detroit Jit:
At the end of a hard laborious day, a community came together to listen and dance to music of great legends that graced the city’s esteemed night clubs. Particularly, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker, as well as Jelly Roll Morton who wrote, “Black Bottom Stomp,” a direct reference to the city’s neighborhoods.
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A soloist’s challenge dance, Detroit’s own ‘Jitterbug’ was fast in speed and characterized by slapping your backside, hopping forward and backward, feet stomping, infrequent heel-to-toe footwork, pelvic gyrations, and arm waving, all done while dancing one beat behind the beat of the jazz percussion.
Click here to read the entire article, or scroll down to watch some videos of the Detroit Jit!
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