Gus Giordano: American Icon

[@fangletterman-ng2ro]

The summer of '85, I took a couple one-week trips into Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, in Evanston, IL. I remember his grueling execises on center floor to develop our "center," and his insistence that his iconic jazz hands were similar to palming a basketball, and don't you dare flare your palm to look like Bob Fosse! A major newspaper was coming the next day to take pics of our class for their story on Gus and his studio, and he told us, these pictures will be on the front page and in color, so don't dress like you're going to an aerobics class! Nan was so considerate and encouraging in her classes. Gus would push new students to find out where your limits were; tough, and with no apologies. A demanding visionary, teacher and choreographer who churned out the most charismatic and distinctive dancers and choreography that I have ever seen! Loved his jazz funk style! I also danced at Lou Conte's Hubbard Street Dancers, and Joel Hall's studio, that summer. Great times. Michael Jackson's song, Billie Jean just hit, that summer and it was great to dance Giordano and Joel Hall's jazz funk to it!!

[@delenegillen539]

Tears ran down my face as I watched a Tribute to Peg. Salt of the earth family, salt of the earth dance company. Salt of the earth choreography which has given us as jazz dancers an identity to consistently discover our own strengths and collectively realize the joy of movement and share it with the world. A heart felt thank you to the Giordano Family. Also thanks Judy for developing Jazzercise.

[@staceydailey6394]

I actually had the great honor of taking a class from him at a dance convention in the late 80s or early 90's. It made a huge impact in my life as a dancer. I'm 45 now but still hold my experience with him so dear. I taught dance for 15 yrs. I wore Gus's jazz shoes, and taught my students all about him. He true gave himself to the world and he can never be forgotten! So glad I stumbled upon this tonight! God Bless!

[@fangletterman-ng2ro]

Oh, yes! His wooden stacked-heel jazz oxfords, "for the perfect point."

[@jerrydeclercq3323]

In the late Fifties Gus, Alsn Swain (jazz piano player & teacher) and myself, Jerry DeClercq, owner of Custom Sound Studios in Evanston, Il. formed Orion Records. Gus was the instigator and wanted to create recordings customized for his jazz dance classes around the country. Each of us contributed our talents to produce the necessary audio recordings which Gus sold both at his classes and from his studio on Davis Street in Evanston. To this day I have copies of every 45 rpm and album we as a company produced. Gus was creative and dedicated to this end as he was to his entire dance curriculum which also included ballroom and youth oriented classes. He finally bought out Alan's and my portions of Orion Records, but our combined efforts extended into the 60's. It was a pleasure working with Gus.

[@fangletterman-ng2ro]

Ah, yes! Gus' studio with those huge columns and towering windows with natural light and high, high ceilings! The studio was so expansive that it nurtured lofty goals!

[@richardwhite3924]

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Gus back in the 1970's in Germany. He was doing a tour of Army bases for the USO and spent a day with our community theater group. He taught us a dance number to Chuck Mangione's "Land Of Make Believe" and manged to get me, the original guy with two left feet, to look reasonably good.

[@kathrynbencriscutto507]

Hi do you have any of Gus's choreography of his to the concert he did at UW Parkside. I'm trying to recal the number he made of Aretha Franklin's " RESPECT BEST I'd ever seen...

[@fangletterman-ng2ro]

Why don't you contact his daughter, Nan Giordano, and ask her for it? She's the Director.

[@zee5549]

7:48 PEGGED??????? HELL YEAH HELL FUCKING YEAH

[@Robbi496]

Amy - did you attend Willard School in Evanston in 1959-1960? If you did, i was in your class, I also took 6th Grade Dancing from Gus in the mid 1960's!

[@yes321y]

Can someone give me key points on the video please in bulletpoints