Thankfully evolution-- change-- and jazz music and dance could not be contained. If it had, we would never have heard or seen such life-affirming and world-changing music or dances.
Jitterbug! is very American. It reflects the contributions of black and Jewish creatives working together during one of America's darkest hours. If Henry Ford had had his way we wouldn't have swing music or the jitterbug. We wouldn't have heard "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (named "Song of the Century" by the Recording Industry Association of America) because Harold Arlen-- the son of a cantor and a character in the dancical-- wasn't allowed to develop his craft writing songs for the Cotton Club revues.
Unfortunately, it appears following our last presidential election, there are more Henry Fords in America than ever imagined.
To learn more and to watch a fascinating video, please click here.