Mama Jazz
Note: For a simpler dance to this song, I also choreographed “Mama Knows Best”.

Description:             4 Wall Line Dance, 64 Counts, Intermediate Level 2 (Mid Intermediate)
Choreography by:     Bill Bader Vancouver, BC, Canada March 2002   604-684-2455   billbader@hotmail.com   billbader.com
Signature Song:        “Mama Knew Best” by The Borderers (180 bpm) Intro: 64 counts (NOT the Oh-oh-oh’s)
Album:                     “Inspired!” (2002) - Order from www.theborderers.com.au or cdbaby.com or your favourite
                                     linedance CD retailer (see Line-Links at http://www.billbader.com/line-links.htm)
Choreographer’s Note:  This wonderful, upbeat song takes us back to “The Jazz Age” of flappers and The Charleston.

1-8       HEEL, LIFT, HEEL, HOLD, BEHIND, 1/4 TURN, FORWARD, HOLD
1-2        Touch R heel on right forward diagonal (“Right 45”), Lift R foot slightly bending R knee
3-4        Touch R heel again on the same spot, Hold
5-6-7-8  Cross Step R behind L, Step L to left side turning 1/4 left, Step R forward, Hold

9-16     FORWARD, ROCK, BACK, ROCK, FORWARD, HOP (TURN 1/4), TOGETHER, HOLD
1-2        Step L forward, Rock back onto R
3-4        Step L back to left side, Rock onto R
5-6        Step L forward, Hop R forward turning 1/4 left
7-8        Step L beside R, Hold* *Comic option on count 8 on Walls 2, 5, 8: Slap R “hip area”. (Very “flapper”!)

17-24  “The Charleston”:  KICK, HOLD, BACK, HOLD, TOUCH BACK, HOLD, FORWARD, HOLD
1-2        Kick R forward, Hold
3-4        Step R back, Hold
5-6        Touch L toe back, Hold
7-8        Step L forward, Hold
Styling for 17-24:  Swing arms to counter-balance the footwork. And you can use “jazz hands” (fingers splayed).
             The true Charleston has the heel of the weighted foot swiveling, so try that option.

25-32   FORWARD, 1/2 PIVOT, FORWARD, SLAP, STEP, CLAP, POSE, HOLD
1-2        Step R forward, Pivot Turn 1/2 left onto L
3-4        Step R forward, Keeping knees together raise L heel to left side and slap L heel with L hand
5-6        Step L beside R, Raise R knee toward left and Clap
7-8        Point R toe to far right side and move arms out to sides palms down, Hold

33-40   RIGHT, HOLD, CROSS, HOLD, RIGHT, TOGETHER, RIGHT, TOUCH
1-2        Step R beside L slightly apart, Hold
3-4        Cross Step L over R, Hold
5-6-7     Step R to right side, Slide/Step L beside R, Step R to right side
8           Slide/Touch L toe beside R

41-48   DIAGONAL BACK, HOLD, CROSS, HOLD, BACK, CROSS, BACK, HEEL
1-2        Step L back on left diagonal, Hold
3-4        Cross Step R over L, Hold
5-6-7     Step L back on left diagonal, Cross Step R over L, Step L back on left diagonal
8           Touch R heel forward on diagonal

49-56   VAUDEVILLE RIGHT, VAUDEVILLE LEFT
1-2        Step R to right side, Cross Step L over R
3-4        Step R to right side, Touch L heel forward on left diagonal
5-6        Step L to left side, Cross Step R over L
7-8        Step L to left side, Touch R heel forward on right diagonal

57-64   LUNGE, HOLD, REPLACE, HOLD, JAZZ BOX TURN (CROSS, BACK, SIDE 1/4 RIGHT, FORWARD)
1-2        Lunge Step R to far right side and slightly back lifting L foot from the floor, Hold
3-4        Replace weight onto L, Hold
5-6        Cross Step R over L, Step L back
7-8        Step R to right side turning 1/4 right, Step L forward
End of pattern. Begin again…
This step description was updated Nov. 19, 2003 by the choreographer. Photocopying is permitted for classes
and competitions. For updates and other dances visit Bill's Dance Collections at billbader.com/billdances.htm