Katarinapls' Clan

Jazz hands in performance dance is the extension of a performer's hands with palms toward the audience and fingers splayed (this position is also referred to as webbing). It is commonly associated with especially exuberant types of performance such as musicals, cheerleading, show choir, revue, and especially jazz dance shows.[citation needed] In cheerleading, the position with arms outstretched and fingers wiggling up and down is sometimes referred to as spirit fingers[1] or jazz fingers. Depending on the performance venue, both gestures can be associated with campiness.[2]

Probably the biggest proponent of jazz hands was the late Bob Fosse, who incorporated them in nearly all of his Broadway and film musical choreography. The best example of this is the opening musical number of Pippin, "Magic to Do", in which still illuminated jazz hands are the first thing the audience sees.