sad day for dance
I never write on LJ - generally I use blogger because it's linked to my website. (www.devotesherlife.com) But since I have a few dancer friends on here...
CHICAGO (AP): Choreographer Gus Giordano, who popularized jazz dance around the world and earned it recognition as a legitimate art form, has died at the age of 84.
Giordano died Sunday in Chicago of pneumonia, according to a statement released Monday by his family.
The founder of the critically acclaimed, Evanston-based Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Giordano published in 1975 "The Anthology of American Jazz Dance'' and won an Emmy for his 1980 special "The Rehearsal.''
In 1990, Giordano organized the first Jazz Dance World Congress, which brings together a number of jazz dance companies for a week of master classes and performances. Besides the United States, it has been held in Japan, Germany, Mexico and Costa Rica.
"He was one of the founding fathers of dance in Chicago,'' said Jim Vincent, artistic director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. "People still look to his company for the evolution of ... jazz.''
Born in St. Louis in 1923, Giordano was turned on to dance at the age of 5 by a cousin. During World War II, Giordano joined the Marines and was assigned to a performance group that put on shows at military bases.
After the war, he performed on Broadway in shows including "Paint Your Wagon,'' and "On the Town.''
He moved to Chicago in 1953 and opened his own dance school, where he taught the "Giordano technique.''
Giordano is survived by daughters Nan and Amy Giordano, sons Patrick and Marc Giordano, and eight grandchildren.
CHICAGO (AP): Choreographer Gus Giordano, who popularized jazz dance around the world and earned it recognition as a legitimate art form, has died at the age of 84.
Giordano died Sunday in Chicago of pneumonia, according to a statement released Monday by his family.
The founder of the critically acclaimed, Evanston-based Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Giordano published in 1975 "The Anthology of American Jazz Dance'' and won an Emmy for his 1980 special "The Rehearsal.''
In 1990, Giordano organized the first Jazz Dance World Congress, which brings together a number of jazz dance companies for a week of master classes and performances. Besides the United States, it has been held in Japan, Germany, Mexico and Costa Rica.
"He was one of the founding fathers of dance in Chicago,'' said Jim Vincent, artistic director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. "People still look to his company for the evolution of ... jazz.''
Born in St. Louis in 1923, Giordano was turned on to dance at the age of 5 by a cousin. During World War II, Giordano joined the Marines and was assigned to a performance group that put on shows at military bases.
After the war, he performed on Broadway in shows including "Paint Your Wagon,'' and "On the Town.''
He moved to Chicago in 1953 and opened his own dance school, where he taught the "Giordano technique.''
Giordano is survived by daughters Nan and Amy Giordano, sons Patrick and Marc Giordano, and eight grandchildren.