Americas

Tap & Jazz, Hip-hop & Breaking

Tap and jazz dance developed through African American innovation and cultural exchange; hip-hop dance and breaking emerged in later urban social settings. Each has its own lineage, musical relationships and community practices.

History

African American rhythmic innovation shaped Tap and Jazz dance through social spaces and theatres. Hip-hop dance and Breaking developed through later urban communities, notably the Bronx in the 1970s, before international battles and professional stage works.

Key forms

Tap
Jazz dance
Hip-hop
Breaking

Elements

Rhythmic improvisation
Groove and social exchange
Cyphers and battles

Masters & companies

Bill Robinson
Katherine Dunham
Nicholas Brothers
Rennie Harris
Alvin Ailey

Watch Live

No official live dance stream verified for this tradition yet.

Watch Recorded

Jacob's Pillow Interactive

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Marquee TV

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Paid access · checked 2026-10-21

Sadler's Digital Stage

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

SadlersWells

Official company videos and clips; full performances are not assured. Check the publisher for current viewing availability; no active live broadcast confirmed. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Tap & Jazz, Hip-hop & Breaking · YouTube search

Search results, not a verified recording; choose official company or institution uploads.

Learn

Library of Congress · Dance Instruction Manuals, 1490–1920

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

American Tap Dance Foundation

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Frankie Manning Foundation

Artist biography and teaching context. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Rennie Harris

Artist biography and teaching context. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Jacob's Pillow

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Jacob's Pillow Interactive

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Sadler's Digital Stage

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Dance Studies Association · CORD/SDHS history

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Attend

ILHC

General institution or cultural programme; not a dedicated online dance archive. Check the publisher for current viewing availability; no active live broadcast confirmed. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Red Bull BC One

WDSF

Jacob's Pillow

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Some publishers offer paid access. Public recordings do not grant permission to reuse choreography or ceremonial material.