It’s time to Jit!Let’s Learn About

the Dance Born in Detroit.

What to expect

What is Jit?

Pioneering Groups

Changes to Jit

How did Jit start?

Techno in Detroit

Components of Jit

Jit Today!Modern Jit Performers

WHAT IS JIT?

The Jit is a type of dance created in Detroit that is made up of a combination of intricate footwork, kicks, wiggles, shuffles, and arm movements. Jit can be performed with any music, but is usually paired with Funk and Techno.

HOW DID JIT START?In the 1970s, a group of three brothers came up with a series of moves they would perform on the streets or in basement parties. They called themselves the Jitterbugs.

People started calling their movements “jit,” an abbreviation of their name.

HOW DID JIT START?

Soon, the Jitterbugs became a featured act on the local TV program The Scene. They went on to win many dance competitions, and toured the continent with the North American Auto Show.

In the auto show they performed the Jit as many as 8 times a day for years!

The Jitterbugs at a 1986 Auto Show

HOW DID JIT START?The Jit began in Detroit around the same time as breakin’, or breakdancing, emerged in New York City.

While the styles are very different, they both started as artistic expressions of Black youth living in a city.

HOW HAS JIT CHANGED?When the Jit started in the 1970s, it was danced to Funk music.

In the 1980s, the group Mad Dancer took the Jit in a different direction. They increased the speed of the steps to accompany the new music of the era: Techno and Electro.

Detroit-based funk band Parliament

The Belleville Three,

Detroit techno pioneers

TECHNO IN DETROIT

Detroit is one of the birthplaces of Techno and electronic music.

This incredibly popular genre started right here in Michigan. There is even a Techno museum in Detroit: Exhibit 3000.

With the shared connection to the city, it’s no surprise that the Jit and Techno came together.

PIONEERING GROUPS OF JITFollowing the Jitterbugs, other groups started The Funkateers created a similar footwork style and fused Jit with popping and locking.

The Funkateers on TV in the 1980s.

PIONEERING GROUPS OF JITThe Mad Dancers started in the 1980s. They took the styles developed by the Jitterbugs and the Funkateers and established the style of the Jit performed today.

Over the last 50 years many Jit groups have formed and perform!

A vintage video of the Mad Dancers.

COMPONENTS OF JIT

Jit is all about showmanship and attracting attention. Any time you see the Jit performed, you’ll see a combination of moves.

The following slides show some examples of classic Jit moves.

Jit moves!● Kicks● Wiggles● Crossovers● Shuffles● Drops

● Armwork● Groundwork

COMPONENTS OF JIT:The WalkThe first Jit step was The Walk which is a shuffle.The basis of this step is walking forward and back in rhythm.

COMPONENTS OF JIT:The Jazzit

The Walk is like walking forward and back in pace, The Jazzit is based on only steps forward. With each of these steps, you swing out your knee/leg before going back to where you started.

COMPONENTS OF JIT:The StrikeWith The Strike you take a long step forward with your right knee raised (this is the “Strike”). You bring your right foot back. The you step back with your left foot and repeat with Striking your right knee.

COMPONENTS OF JIT: Kick Up - Side to SideThe Kick Up - Side to Side is exactly what it’s called! It starts with a kick and then bringing your knees together and twisting side to side. It sometimes ends with a spin after the side to side.

COMPONENTS OF JIT:Drops

This step is also like what it sounds. You step one foot in front of the other and Drop by bending down on the leg that’s in the back. It ends with a spin around and a return to standing.

JIT TODAYThe Jit is still performed in Detroit!

Recently, the Jit revived national exposure with performances on So You Think You Can Dance (the McGhee Brothers and Mike Manson) and Paula Abdul’s Live to Dance (Jittin’ Genius).

JIT PERFORMERS TO EXPLORE

Queen Gabby

Michael Manson and the House of

Jit

Michael Smithfounder of Jit

Masters

JIT PERFORMERS TO EXPLORE

Haleem “Stringz” Rasul

Ron Ford, Jr.Jittin’ Genius

Learn more about the Jit at:

DetroitJit.comDetroitJitterbugs.comHardcoreDetroit.com

To find classes in learning the Jit visit:

JitMasters.comskilsetmovementstudios.com

Slides written and organized by Will Biby in collaboration with Haleem “Stringz” Rasul.