Directed by Khadifa Wong. A runtime of one hour and thirty-four minutes. Streaming on MAX.

This is a detailed documentary about Jazz dance. Explaining its origin and the evolution it took. From different cultures to the individual interpretations dancers have of this timeless dance form.

With the greats such as Debbie Allen talking about other greats like Jo Jo Smith. You get a true education learning the history and how Jazz dance laid its imprint on so many other dance forms.

"Uprooted: The Journey of Dance" was very educational. My daughter recommended it. She watched it in her dance class. Which is amazing because this is a documentary that needs to be seen. Especially in a dance class.

I loved learning about Patsy Swayze, Patrick Swayze's mom. She taught jazz dance. This explains why Patrick could dance. She taught Debbie Allen how to dance. Many people weren't teaching African Americans back then.

These so-called prominent teachers held keys to an art form that wasn't originally theirs. Locking doors so others couldn't succeed. But Patsy wasn't like that. She gave up the knowledge which led to a chain reaction. Once Debbie Allen learned she taught it herself.

This topic alone of Jazz dance might not be my favorite but the education alone made it entertaining. This documentary goes deep down the rabbit hole of Jazz dance. Showing how it came from Africans who eventually turned into slaves. Showing how because of the slave trade this dance form traveled to different cultures. Which were affected by it and affected the dance form itself.

Jazz Dance is a huge tree. With many branches growing from this tree. Like tap dance, hip-hop dance, and other dance forms. This art form has so many implications in so many facets of life. From musical theatre, film, and history itself. You can't talk about American history without jazz dance being mentioned. This documentary taught me that.

You learn the many racial elements that came from Jazz Dance and you get a first-hand look at experts talking about the rich culture. To the highs and lows, this dance form faces today. Once again this isn't a topic I would normally be super interested in but the sheer amount of knowledge I learned was impressive. For that, I have to give it five mor fires ?????.

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