The Black Tradition in American Dance [Hardcover]

Richard A. Long (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1995

200+ full-color illus. 8 1/2 x 11 1/4.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Black dance is one of the richest strands in the history of American dance. This wide-ranging study focuses on the contributions of black dancers and choreographers from the 1920s to the present, with a brief discussion of the tradition's 19th-century roots. All facets of the black dance scene are presented, including classical ballet, jazz, modern, ethnic dance, and tap. Long's authoritative text is coupled with a lavish array of well-chosen photographs that document the variety and vitality of black dance and make the book a bargain at its price. Probably the most attractive and comprehensive treatment of its subject, this work is highly recommended for dance and black studies collections.
- Susan Thach Dean, M . L . S . , Barnet, Vt.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Smithmark Pub (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0831707631
• ISBN-13: 978-0831707637
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,056,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a rare and valuable resource..., April 22, 2000

By 

J. Laws "Jenn" (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Black Tradition In American Dance (Hardcover)

This book "surveys all of the major personalities in Black dance from the 1920's to the present day" (1989 copyright). Photographs by Joe Nash.

Inside the cover, it sums it up, "Richard Long's elegantly illustrated (photos) book, dedicated to Pearl Primus and Katherine Dunham, show how the varied contributions of many talented and persevering men and women have put Black dance and dancers in the spotlight. ... the book traces all the strands, motifs, and fashions in Afro-American dance from the early minstrels, through the dance dramas of Isadata Dafora, to the thriving dance companies of today - Alvin Ailey, Harlem, Nanette Bearden, Dayton, Philadelphia [plus Josephine Baker, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, etc.- ballet, modern, and tap]..."

I have been looking for a book like this for a long time. It has many great photos of many people, some I have known, and some I had no idea of their contribution to Dance History. It's hard to find, but worth the wait!