So You Think You Can Dance

Dance Dictionary

African Jazz

Also known as Afro-jazz, this is typically a fusion of styles including African, South African Marabi, Afro-Brazilian, Caribbean, swing, and jazz. The powerful rhythmic dance is based on tribal African moves with modern elements of jumps and floor work and is oftentimes performed to very beat-centric music. The cultural dance is a staple of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. "So You Think You Can Dance" introduced African jazz to the show in Season 6 with a Sean Cheesman routine performed by Russell Ferguson and Noelle Marsh. They danced to "Frog Dance" by Mickey Hart and Planet Drum, leaving Nigel begging Sean for more.

Also see Jazz

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Performances

Top 4/Winner

Melanie & Marko

  • - MelanieWinner
  • - MarkoThird Place

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "I Feel Love (12" Version)" - Donna Summer

Choreographer: Doriana Sanchez

Dance Style: Disco

Top 4/Winner

Sasha & Marko

  • - SashaSecond Place
  • - MarkoThird Place

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "Whatever Lola Wants" - Ella Fitzgerald

Choreographer: Spencer Liff

Dance Style: Broadway

Top 4/Winner

Melanie & Tadd

  • - MelanieWinner
  • - TaddFourth Place

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "Show Me What You're Working With" - Sista Monica

Choreographer: Ray Leeper

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 4/Winner

Melanie

  • - Winner

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "Sacrifice" - Sinead O'Connor

Choreographer: Stacey Tookey

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 4/Winner

Melanie & Sasha

  • - MelanieWinner
  • - SashaSecond Place

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "Heart Asks Pleasure First" - Ahn Trio

Choreographer: Stacey Tookey

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 4/Winner

Sasha

  • - Second Place

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "Raise Your Weapon" - Deadmau5

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 4/Winner

Marko & Tadd

  • - MarkoThird Place
  • - TaddFourth Place

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "B.O.B." - Outkast

Choreographer: Chuck Maldonado

Dance Style: Gumboot

Top 4/Winner

Marko

  • - Third Place

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "Shirk" - Me'Shell Ndegeocello

Choreographer: Tessandra Chavez

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 4/Winner

Sasha & Tadd

  • - SashaSecond Place
  • - TaddFourth Place

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "Raindrops" - Basement Jaxx

Choreographer: Mark Ballas

Dance Style: Cha-Cha

Top 4/Winner

Tadd

  • - Fourth Place

Air Date: 8/10/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 4/Winner

Song: "Hustle Hard" - Ace Hood

Choreographer: Lil C

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 6

Tadd

Air Date: 8/3/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 6

Song: "The Gulag Orkestar" - Beirut

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 6

Caitlynn

  • - Eliminated

Air Date: 8/3/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 6

Song: "Drop It Low (District 78 Remix)" - Kat DeLuna

Choreographer: Dmitry Chaplin

Dance Style: Samba

Top 6

Marko

Air Date: 8/3/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 6

Song: "Zorongo (Traditional)" - Antonia Goemz, Ely "La Gambita", Guillermo Basilisco and Paco Pena

Choreographer: Dmitry Chaplin

Dance Style: Paso Doble

Top 6

Ricky

  • - Eliminated

Air Date: 8/3/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 6

Song: "Inside These Lines" - Trent Dabbs

Choreographer: Dee Caspary

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 6

Sasha

Air Date: 8/3/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 6

Song: "Fool Of Me" - Me'Shell Ndegeocello

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 6

Sasha & Ricky

  • - RickyEliminated

Air Date: 8/3/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 6

Song: "Schoolin' Life" - Beyonce

Choreographer: Kumari Suraj

Dance Style: Waacking

Top 6

Melanie & Tadd

Air Date: 8/3/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 6

Song: "(Where Do I Begin) Love Story (AwayTeam Mix)" - Shirley Bassey

Choreographer: Spencer Liff

Dance Style: Broadway

Top 6

Caitlynn & Marko

  • - CaitlynnEliminated

Air Date: 8/3/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 6

Song: "Heavy In Your Arms" - Florence and The Machine

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Dance Style: Lyrical Jazz

Top 6

Melanie

Air Date: 8/3/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 6

Song: "Roman's Revenge" - Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne

Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 8

Melanie & Sasha

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Game On" - District 78

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 8

Marko

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "I Know It's Over" - Jeff Buckley

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 8

Caitlynn & Tadd

  • - CaitlynnBottom 4
  • - TaddBottom 4

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" - Ella Fitzgerald

Choreographer: Jonathan Roberts

Dance Style: Foxtrot

Top 8

Jordan

  • - Eliminated

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Nutbush City Limits" - Tina Turner

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 8

Caitlynn

  • - Bottom 4

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Let Me Love You" - Mario

Choreographer: Marty Kudelka

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 8

Melanie

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" - Bonnie Tyler

Choreographer: Mandy Moore

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 8

Ricky

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "River Deep, Mountain High" - Celine Dion

Choreographer: Jason Gilkison

Dance Style: Jive

Top 8

Marko & Ricky

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Bad Boy For Life" - Diddy ft. Black Rob and Mark Curry

Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 8

Jess

  • - Eliminated

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Take A Bow" - Rihanna

Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 8

Jordan & Jess

  • - JordanEliminated
  • - JessEliminated

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Set Fire To Rain" - Adele

Choreographer: Jason Gilkison

Dance Style: Rumba

Top 8

Tadd

  • - Bottom 4

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Another One Bites The Dust" - Queen

Choreographer: Mandy Moore

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 8

Sasha

Air Date: 7/27/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 8

Song: "Puttin' On The Ritz" - Terry Snyder

Choreographer: Jonathan Roberts

Dance Style: Quickstep

Top 10

Ricky

  • - Bottom 4

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "Precious Things" - Tori Amos

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 10

Clarice

  • - Eliminated

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "Aila Re Aila" - Khatta Meetha (Soundtrack)

Choreographer: Nakul Dev Mahajan

Dance Style: Bollywood

Top 10

Tadd

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "Look At Me Now" - Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes

Choreographer: Chuck Maldonado

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 10

Jess

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "The Lonely" - Christina Perri

Choreographer: Stacey Tookey

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 10

Jordan

  • - Bottom 4

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "Who You Are (Live Acoustic Version)" - Jessie J

Choreographer: Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 10

Melanie

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "Everybody Hurts" - Tina Arena

Choreographer: Jason Gilkison

Dance Style: Viennese Waltz

Top 10

Marko

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "Cinema Italiano (The Ron Fair Remix)" - Kate Hudson

Choreographer: Jason Gilkison

Dance Style: Samba

Top 10

Sasha

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "Misty Blue" - Dorothy Moore

Choreographer: Chris Scott

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 10

Mitchell

  • - Eliminated

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "Take Off With Us" - All That Jazz (Soundtrack)

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Dance Style: Broadway

Top 10

Caitlynn

Air Date: 7/20/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 10

Song: "Malajunta" - Orquesta Color Tango

Choreographer: Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo

Dance Style: Argentine Tango

Top 12

Ryan & Ricky

  • - RyanEliminated
  • - RickyBottom 3

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "All I Need Is The Girl" - Frank Sinatra

Choreographer: Spencer Liff

Dance Style: Broadway

Top 12

Clarice & Jess

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Just The Way You Are" - Boyce Avenue

Choreographer: Chris Scott

Dance Style: Lyrical Hip-Hop

Top 12

Melanie & Marko

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Skin and Bones" - David J. Roch

Choreographer: Dee Caspery

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 12

Jordan & Tadd

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Out Tonight" - Rent (Original Broadway Cast)

Choreographer: Spencer Liff

Dance Style: Broadway

Top 12

Melanie & Marko

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Triptico" - Gotan Project

Choreographer: Louis Van Amstel

Dance Style: Tango

Top 12

Sasha & Alexander

  • - SashaBottom 3
  • - AlexanderEliminated

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Alley Dash/March Of The Trolls" - Taylor Long/Rick Powell

Choreographer: Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin

Dance Style: Paso Doble

Top 12

Sasha & Alexander

  • - SashaBottom 3
  • - AlexanderEliminated

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "That's Life" - Aretha Franklin

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 12

Clarice & Jess

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That" - Robert Randolph and The Family Band

Choreographer: Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin

Dance Style: Jive

Top 12

Caitlynn & Mitchell

  • - CaitlynnBottom 3
  • - MitchellBottom 3

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Piece Of My Heart" - Janis Joplin

Choreographer: Travis Wall

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 12

Ryan & Ricky

  • - RyanEliminated
  • - RickyBottom 3

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)" - Enrique Iglesias ft. DJ Frank E

Choreographer: Louis Van Amstel

Dance Style: Cha-Cha

Top 12

Caitlynn & Mitchell

  • - CaitlynnBottom 3
  • - MitchellBottom 3

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Break The Chain" - Lupe Fiasco ft. Eric Turner and Sway

Choreographer: Chris Scott

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 12

Jordan & Tadd

Air Date: 7/13/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 12

Song: "Brotsjor" - Olafur Arnalds

Choreographer: Travis Wall

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 14

Caitlynn & Mitchell

Air Date: 7/6/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 14

Song: "To Love You More" - Celine Dion

Choreographer: Mandy Moore

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 14

Ryan & Ricky

  • - RyanBottom 3
  • - RickyBottom 3

Air Date: 7/6/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 14

Song: "Fashion" - David Bowie

Choreographer: Chucky Klapow

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 14

Melanie & Marko

Air Date: 7/6/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 14

Song: "Americano" - Lady Gaga

Choreographer: Ray Leeper

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 14

Jordan & Tadd

  • - JordanBottom 3
  • - TaddBottom 3

Air Date: 7/6/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 14

Song: "Nocturne" - Secret Garden

Choreographer: Toni Redpath

Dance Style: Smooth Waltz

Top 14

Ashley & Chris

  • - AshleyEliminated
  • - ChrisEliminated

Air Date: 7/6/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 14

Song: "Mambo Beat" - Tito Puente

Choreographer: Liz Lira

Dance Style: Salsa

Top 14

Clarice & Jess

Air Date: 7/6/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 14

Song: "Light Through The Branches" - Celeste Lear

Choreographer: Justin Giles

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 14

Sasha & Alexander

Air Date: 7/6/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 14

Song: "To The Moon" - Miguel

Choreographer: Shaun Evaristo

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 16

Ryan & Ricky

Air Date: 6/29/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 16

Song: "With Every Heartbeat (Acoustic)" - Robyn

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 16

Caitlynn & Mitchell

  • - CaitlynnBottom 3
  • - MitchellBottom 3

Air Date: 6/29/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 16

Song: "Put It In A Love Song" - Alicia Keys ft. Beyonce

Choreographer: Jean Marc Genereux

Dance Style: Samba

Top 16

Sasha & Alexander

Air Date: 6/29/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 16

Song: "Belong" - Cary Brothers

Choreographer: Dee Caspery

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 16

Clarice & Jess

Air Date: 6/29/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 16

Song: "Fly Me To The Moon" - Frank Sinatra

Choreographer: Jean Marc Genereux

Dance Style: Foxtrot

Top 16

Miranda & Robert

  • - MirandaEliminated
  • - RobertEliminated

Air Date: 6/29/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 16

Song: "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" - Sophisticated Ladies

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Dance Style: Broadway

Top 16

Ashley & Chris

  • - AshleyBottom 3
  • - ChrisBottom 3

Air Date: 6/29/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 16

Song: "Lights Go Down (District 78 Remix)" - Telepathe

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 16

Melanie & Marko

Air Date: 6/29/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 16

Song: "I Got You" - Leona Lewis

Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 16

Jordan & Tadd

Air Date: 6/29/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 16

Song: "Memories" - David Guetta ft. Kid Cudi

Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 20 Perform Again

Jordan & Tadd

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Fade Into Me" - David Cook

Choreographer: Jean Marc Genereux

Dance Style: Viennese Waltz

Top 20 Perform Again

Caitlynn & Mitchell

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Turning Tables" - Adele

Choreographer: Stacey Tookey

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 20 Perform Again

Sasha & Alexander

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Coming Home" - Diddy - Dirty Money and Skylar Grey

Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 20 Perform Again

Ryan & Ricky

  • - RyanBottom 3
  • - RickyBottom 3

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Addicted To Love" - Robert Palmer

Choreographer: Mandy Moore

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 20 Perform Again

Melanie & Marko

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Sing With A Swing (Raf Marchesini Radio Edit)" - DKS

Choreographer: Mandy Moore

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 20 Perform Again

Ashley & Chris

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Please, Mr. Jailer" - Rachel Sweet

Choreographer: Spencer Liff

Dance Style: Broadway

Top 20 Perform Again

Miranda & Robert

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Break Ya Neck" - Busta Rhymes

Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo

Dance Style: Hip Hop

Top 20 Perform Again

Clarice & Jess

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Cathedrals" - Jump Little Children

Choreographer: Stacey Tookey

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 20 Perform Again

Iveta & Nick

  • - IvetaEliminated
  • - NickEliminated

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Baawre" - Luck By Chance (soundtrack)

Choreographer: Nakul Dev Mahajan

Dance Style: Bollywood

Top 20 Perform Again

Missy & Wadi

  • - MissyEliminated
  • - WadiEliminated

Air Date: 6/22/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20 Perform Again

Song: "Cannibal" - Ke$ha

Choreographer: Jean Marc Genereux

Dance Style: Cha-Cha

Top 20

Iveta & Nick

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "Ballroom Blitz" - Sweet

Choreographer: Jason Gilkison

Dance Style: Quickstep

Top 20

Missy & Wadi

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "Judas (R3HAB Remix) " - Lady Gaga

Choreographer: Sean Cheesman

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 20

Sasha & Alexander

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "Stupid (Mark Bell Mix)" - Sarah McLachlan

Choreographer: Travis Wall

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 20

Caitlynn & Mitchell

  • - MitchellInjured

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "In For The Kill (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix)" - La Roux

Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh

Dance Style: Jazz

Top 20

Ryan & Ricky

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "Ain't No Sunshine" - Lighthouse Family

Choreographer: Chris Scott

Dance Style: Lyrical Hip-Hop

Top 20

Melanie & Marko

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "Turn To Stone" - Ingrid Michaelson

Choreographer: Travis Wall

Dance Style: Contemporary

Top 20

Miranda & Robert

  • - MirandaBottom 3
  • - RobertBottom 3

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "Runaway Baby" - Bruno Mars

Choreographer: Jason Gilkison

Dance Style: Jive

Top 20

Jordan & Tadd

  • - JordanBottom 3
  • - TaddBottom 3

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "Riding The Waves" - Afro Celt Sound System

Choreographer: Sean Cheesman

Dance Style: African Jazz

Top 20

Clarice & Jess

  • - ClariceBottom 3
  • - JessBottom 3

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "Me And My Baby" - Liza Minnelli

Choreographer: Tyce Diorio

Dance Style: Broadway

Top 20

Ashley & Chris

Air Date: 6/15/2011

Season: 8 Episode: Top 20

Song: "Forget You" - Cee Lo Green

Choreographer: Chris Scott

Dance Style: Hip Hop

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