Michael Smith of Jit Masters, center, and his students on America’s Got Talent show.
For some, the embodiment of Detroit is identified by its vibrant residents, colorful community or enchanting, ever-expanding downtown that draws everyone into the epicenter of what’s possible in the city.
For others, like native Detroiter Michael Smith, the city, to him, is encompassed in a throwback dance movement that is none other than the Jit. Detroit Jit, to be exact, which he is helping bring back to the forefront – although it never left and more than likely never will.
“It’s been a big thing,” Smith, founder of the dance school, Jit Masters, LLC, told the Michigan Chronicle recently. “It’s been a big thing – the style of dance is from the ‘70s as well as the art of dance itself in Detroit was a dying art.”
Smith said that the quick-on-your-feet choreographed dance movements that also feature accompanying rhythmic hand motions grew in popularity in the city throughout the 1980s.
“A lot of people were doing this dance and, in Detroit at least, knew somebody who knew how to do it,” he said, adding that the dance originated from the 1930s and 1940s Jitterbug, which was a couple-led ballroom dance.
Smith, who moved his school to the Southfield Motor City Dance Factory, said that people of all ages practically from “7 to 70 years old” can take his classes and workshops, and participate in performances throughout the city. The ultimate goal of his dance school is to bring even more cultural ties to Detroit back to the youth who might have missed the memo on the dance movement, which slowed down in the early 2000s.
“It kind of died out,” he said, adding that the youth are a big element of his dance school, which he is more than happy to bring back after his daughter inspired him and he taught her years earlier. “That style of dance is a very powerful street dance in Detroit.”
Now more than ever, it’s critical for today’s youth to have a creative outlet as mental health needs are being prioritized post-COVID, according to national reports, as young people are facing higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts since 2020. Intentional movement, dancing and other forms of expression remain vital to lower stress, anxiety and depression levels according to reports.
Smith, in his 40s, said back in his youth the Jit dance helped keep him out of trouble, too.
“I would say it saved not only my life but a lot of people’s because it kept a lot of people out of trouble,” he said, adding that with the dance people had to learn it, study it, and train and they didn’t have time to be on the streets. “I grew up on the eastside…I didn’t grow up in the best neighborhood and I used this dance to lead me into a performing arts school.”
He’s helping other youth also by exposing them to the world’s stage. His class has already performed on America’s Got Talent and some of the biggest stages in Michigan and Detroit.
“I focus on that and try to gear that towards the youth..what they’re doing now is phenomenal,” he said.
Native Detroiter Lee Wright, 45, told the Michigan Chronicle that he started Jitting back in the early 1990s at dance parties, talent and hair shows and wherever else he could. He also had a Jit group called the Unseen Dancers, which derived from another dance group called Ghosts.
“I just loved the craft of it,” he said.
Wright, cousins with Smith, said that Smith was one of the “fastest learners” he taught how to Jit.
“He was diligent and he tried hard,” he said, adding that it would take some people years to learn and to now see him teaching others, inspiring youth, and most importantly, bridging the gap between the youth and the dance and the community that built it. “It’s just love. It’s like all of us jitters when we get together are like one big family.”
Smith adds that when the old heads start to Jit during different dance classes – or when they see youth dancing – it brings them joy, and for good reason.
“They are just excited that we are preserving the art and it is very encouraging for me to keep it going,” he said.”
For more information visit jitmasters.com.
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