Gus Giordano History Quiz

Gus Giordano and Gregory Hines at the 1993 Ruth Page awards

1.    What will Gus Giordano forever be remembered for?

2.    After what incident did Giordano demand that he be enrolled in dance class?

3.    What modern legends did he study with while trying to break into Broadway in New York City?

4.    What eventually became of the building where Giordano worked for the Film Council of America after moving to Evanston, Illinois?

5.    In 1974, the Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago company became the first jazz group to ever tour _____________________, after dance critic Ann Barzel insisted that Giordano show the visiting __________________________________ dancers what jazz dance looked like.

6.    Describe Giordano’s movement style.

7.    What resource did he create in 1975 to support his teaching method?

8.    Giordano’s vision for jazz dance culminated in 1990 when he organized what festival in Evanston, IL?

9.    Who did this event bring together for the first time?

10.    True or False: Gus Giordano’s legacy continues to carry on still today through his two daughters, Nan, the artistic director of his company, and Amy, who heads the school.

Answer Key

1. As the man who shaped what is known today as American jazz dance 2. Following a trip to New Orleans where he saw his cousin tap dance to “Shoe Shiner’s Drag” 3. Hanya Holm, Alwin Nikolais and Katherine Dunham 4. It became the Giordano Dance School in 1953. 5. The Soviet Union; Bolshoi Ballet 6. It’s significant for the grounded feel of classic modern dance, the lifted torso and refinement of ballet, and its impulsive quality.
7. Anthology of American Jazz Dance 8. Jazz Dance World Congress 9. The pioneers of jazz dance, including Matt Mattox, Luigi, Frank Hatchett and Joe Tremaine. 10. True

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Additional Resources

Book:
The Anthology of American Jazz Dance, by Gus Giordano, Orion Publishing House, 1978

Articles:
A Founding Father of Chicago dance dies, by Sid Smith, The Chicago Tribune, March 11, 2008
Giordano Jazz Dance founder dies at 84, by Hedy Weiss, The Chicago Sun-Times, March 11, 2008
Gus Giordano, 84, Innovator of Modern Jazz Dance, Is Dead, by Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times, March 13, 2008

Media:
Jazz Dance Class With Gus Giordano, by Kulter Video, 1991

Website:
http://www.giordanodance.org/company/

Other:
Techniques and Styles of Jazz Dance, by Jean Sabatine, Hoctor Records, 1969