Technique of Jumps in Tango

Nowadays jumps are mostly known because of shows when really they are acrobatic "portés". Nevertheless at the beginning of the century, jumps were fairly common and totally adapted to the dance floor. Jumps allow creativity, enriching the dance, but also allowing the evolution of movement in tango. The technique offered by Luis Bruni & Pascale Coquigny allows leading spontaneous jumps, which are not choreographed in advance and they are not « portés ». As opposed to "portés", this technique is accessible to all, since it does not require strength or specific training nor is it physically demanding.

Photo : C. Vizzotto

Created in 1997 by Luis Bruni and Christina Cortes, within the Group Graciela Gonzalez, this way of teaching jumps in tango meets with great success in the tango scene of Buenos Aires. Since every step on the floor is now possible in the air, it offers many new possibilities. Important dancers are interested in this technique which contributes to Luis international reputation. From that time on he is known as a specialist of jumps in tango.

This technique goes further than merely the jumps. It forces the dancers to check automatically their basic forms. In the air, the slightest defect is enhanced. It pushes the male dancer to perfect its leading technique and the female dancer to find the perfect posture of her body. It is a good way to check out if your bases are well acquired and is particularly recommended to dancers slightly tense. With Pascale Coquigny, Luis has developed the technique and conducted a historical research on traditional jumps in tango, the little jumps for the dance floor and others for performances on stage. They try to distinguish the different types of jumps and the way to teach them.