From 1919 to 1927,
Breakaway was a popular
swing dance developed from the
Texas Tommy and
Charleston in
Harlem's
African American communities. The Breakaway was danced to
jazz, and while it often began in
closed position, the leader would occasionally swing the follower out into an
open position, hence "Breaking away". When in open position the dancers would improvise with fancy moves. Some variations included both dancers completely breaking away from each other to dance 'alone'.