Though people often call TAEMIN’s MOVE choreography “contemporary,” there is arguably much more jazz influence, so here’s a thread on jazz elements in MOVE, that will hopefully also be a bit educational.

This is the most obvious jazz “step” in MOVE. It is called a fankick, since the leg curves around in an arc like a fan.

However, rather than focusing on specific steps, I’m going to discuss some stylistic elements using examples from Bob Fosse choreographies.

Bob Fosse (1927-1987) was one of the most influential dancers/choreographers in history. Even if you’ve never heard if him, you’ve undoubtably seen his style.

Fosse adopted sensual movements from burlesque and cabaret, like these sexy hips.

“Big Spender” Sweet Charity (1969). Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.

He influenced Michael Jackson.

Bob Fosse, The Little Prince (1974). Choreographed by Bob Fosse. [edited]

He choreographed and directed films …

Liza Minnelli, “Mein Herr” Cabaret (1972). Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.

… and Broadway productions.

“All that Jazz” Chicago. Original 1975 production directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.

You may already begin to see the similarities between Fosse’s choreographies and the dance style of MOVE. But I have selected some specific clips to demonstrate more clearly.

From the documentary, Bob Fosse: STEAM HEAT (1990), Great Performances: Dance in America.

“curved shoulders”

“small pelvis work”

Buzz Miller, Carol Haney and Kenneth LeRoy, The Pajama Game (1954). Choreographed by Bob Fosse.

Carol Haney and Bob Fosse, Kiss Me Kate (1953). Choreographed by Bob Fosse.

Compare the position of the legs here to the previous two clips.

Bob Fosse, The Little Prince (1974). Choreographed by Bob Fosse.

Look at the walking the pervious three clips, the crouched shoulders in the The Pajama Game and Kiss Me Kate as well as the pushed-forward neck and swaying arms from The Little Prince.

Big Deal, 1986 Tony Awards. Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.

Do you see some of the similarities between the positions and arm movements from the last clip?

If not, compare this clip to the three following clips from Big Deal and "Take Off with Us," note the position of the hands and wrists. Also consider the quick, sudden movements of the arms.

“Take Off with Us,” All That Jazz (1979). Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.

Big Deal, 1986 Tony Awards. Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.

Big Deal, 1986 Tony Awards. Directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.

Bob Fosse, The Little Prince (1974). Choreographed by Bob Fosse.

In addition to curved shoulders, MOVE places a lot of emphasis on various shoulder movements, like the previous clips from The Little Prince and Big Deal.

Gwen Verdon, The Ed Sullivan Show (1966).

Here the similarity of the movement with the previous clip should be pretty evident.

And even Taemin’s standing position at the very beginning looks a bit “Fosse” with the bent wrist and pushed forward neck.