Jazz hands

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A variation of Jazz hands.
A variation of Jazz hands.

Jazz hands is a common gesture often used in theatre and dance. To perform jazz hands, one's hands are opened with palms facing forward and the fingers are splayed.

The position of the arms can vary. Forearms are usually extended upward, or the forearms may extend forward with the elbows held close to the body, or forearms may extend to the sides or downward. If the arms are outstretched with fingers wiggling up and down it is more commonly referred to as "spirit fingers" (as made famous by the 2000 teen film Bring It On).

Some believe the gesture to be derived from The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson[citation needed].

The hands may then be shaken slightly, as if holding a tambourine. However, this is not a necessary part of the jazz hands action.

[edit] Cultural references

  • Magician Doug Henning was known for performing this move in his publicity photos.
  • Synth-Rock group Reggie and the Full Effect uses the phrase "Jazz Hands" repeatedly in their song "Boot to the Moon."
  • Television Without Pity coined the term "tough guy jazz hands" to refer to the practice of holding a gun in one hand and a flashlight in the other, with the gun-holding arm crossed over and steadied by the flashlight-holding arm.
  • Ugly Betty's nephew Justin describes his performance in his school's Thanksgiving play: "I was the only Pilgrim doing Jazz Hands!"
  • There is a famous photograph of Thurston Moore displaying Jazz Hands over his eyes
  • In the Totally Spies! episode "Mime Your Own Business" an evil mime known as "Jazz hands" seeks revenge on the world.
  • The 2008 iteration of the Tickle Me Elmo doll, Elmo Live, is capable of dancing and telling stories. In one of the Elmo Live's dance programs it ends the dance by performing Jazz Hands.
  • In a Geico caveman commercial, a caveman talks about dancing, "Anything with Jazz Hands".
  • In The Simpsons Episode "A Star Is Torn", Homer teaches "Johnny Rainbow" how to perform Jazz Hands.