Lindy Hop
Lindy Hop is a partner dance that originated in the African-American community in Harlem, New York during the 20's, 30’s. . The dance reached its height of popularity during the big band swing era, and continues to be danced worldwide among Lindy Hop enthusiasts.
The dance evolved from the Charleston among other jazz dances that preceded it. While the fundamentals of the dance are based upon 6 count, 8 count and Charleston patterns, the improvisational nature of the dance, like the Jazz music that inspires it, continues to cultivate innovation alongside Lindy Hop tradition.
There is a rich tradition in Lindy Hop and below is a broad brush of the history with links to more in-depth articles, music and and videos
THE HOME OF HAPPY FEET
The Savoy Ball Room
The Savoy Ballroom was a legendary dance hall on Lenox Avenue between 140th and 141st Streets in Harlem, New York. It was known as “The World’s Finest Ballroom” and “Home of Happy Feet”.
It is also the birthplace of Lindy Hop. Although danced in ballrooms like the Savoy, Lindy Hop is referred to as a "street dance" because it was not formally taught but evolved in real time on the dance floor as dancers improvised and copied each other.
Norma Miller and Frankie Manning discussing the Savoy.
“Shorty George” SNOWDEN
George Snowden reigned as the top dancer at the Savoy Ballroom from its opening in 1927 until the mid-1930s.
Snowden was barely five feet tall, hence the nickname “Shorty George.” He took advantage of his stature for comic effect by performing with “Big Bea” and dancing. his signature move of walking forward with his knees alternatively tucked behind each other pointing to the now, even closer, floor. Big-band pioneer Count Basie honored Snowden’s distinctive style of dance with the tune “Shorty George.”. The Shorty George step also appeared in several line dances of the day including The Shim Sham,, The Big Apple, The Tranky Doo and The Jitterbug Stroll.
Snowden formed a dance troupe called the “Shorty George Trio,” which performed at the Cotton Club and other music venues throughout Harlem. Snowden’s jump to professional status inspired other dancers to organize troupes of their own, including Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers.
Snowden’s dancing style showcased the humor that pervades Lindy Hop to this day. This light heartedness is so much a part of the dance that we at Jersey Shore Swing contend that, if you’re not laughin’, it ain’t Lindy.
Frankie MANNING
Known as the ambassador of Lindy Hop, Frankie Manning has inspired generations of swing dancers.
As a young dancer at the Savoy Ballroom, he became the lead choreographer for the famed Whitey's Lindy Hoppers. Credited with performing the first “air step” and synchronized ensemble Lindy routine, he performed on stage and film for many years before heading off to WWII.
Frankie began to dance and teach again when Lindy Hop returned to popularity in the 1980’s. With a charismatic and energizing personality, Frankie became a prominent figure and beloved icon of the dance, teaching students and spreading the dance magic literally all over the world.
His birthday celebrations became a tradition, attracting dancers internationally. Frankie died one month before his 95th birthday. The event became a celebration of his life, drawing more than 2,000 dancers from 33 countries. As a tribute to Frankie on his birthday, Lindy Hoppers from around the world recorded the Shim Sham. This video was edited Akemi Kinukawa and was screened at the Hammerstein Ballroom during the Frankie 95 celebration. Frankie Manning’s birthday, May 26 has been named World Lindy Hop Day.
WHITEY’S LINDY HOPPERS
HERBERT “WHITEY” WHITE
An ex-prize fighter and former Savoy Ballroom bouncer, Herbert “Whitey” White exported the Lindy Hop from Harlem to dance halls around the world. In 1935, after years of watching talented amateur dancers pack the Savoy night after night, White recruited the best dancers at the Savoy. and formed Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers.
Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers hit the big time when several members won the Lindy Hop division at the Harvest Moon Ball, New York City’s premier dance competition. The troupe translated this success into an international tour that took the dancers to Broadway and the Cotton Club in New York and the Moulin Rouge in Paris. This in turn led to film appearances, notably the Marx Brothers’ A Day at the Races. The troupe’s appearance in the movie Helzapoppin' introduced the Lindy Hop to the masses—and touched off a global dance sensation.
NORMA MILLER
Norma Miller was too young to enter the Savoy Ballroom, but she liked to practice outside, observing the moves among the dancers there.
On Easter Sunday in 1932, 12-year-old Miller was dancing on the sidewalk when she was spotted by Lindy Hopper “Twistmouth George” Ganaway, who brought her into the Savoy to dance with him. “I don’t know if I ever hit the floor,” Miller remembered in the 2006 documentary Queen of Swing. “He just flew me all around.”
In 1934, Miller became the youngest member of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, where she worked with Frankie Manning and began touring across the United States, Europe and South America.
Miller played an integral part in the resurgence of Lindy Hop in the 1980s, dancing again and acting as a historian of the early days.
AL MINNS
One of the great dancers of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, Al Minns was an energetic dancer with a wild, crazy-leg style reminiscent of "Long-Legged George" Grenidge. Minns was in Whitey's top group, known as The Harlem Congaroos and apppeared in the feature film Hellzapoppin' and in the popular soundie Hot Chocolates. As the youngest dancer in this group, he was particularly fit and flexible. On the initial backstep of his swingout, he formed a striking horizontal plane.
THE MUSIC
Lindy Hop would not exist without the Jazz music that inspires it. The improvisational nature of the music inspires the dancers to improvise as well. For this reason, Lindy Hoppers continue to seek opportunities to dance to live music whenever possible as the dancers become a part of the band and the swing band leaders and musicians, in turn, respond to the dancers.
Chick Webb
While not as well known today as other band leader of the time, Chick Webb and his Orchestra was the house band at the Savoy Ballroom. The Savoy had 2 bandstands so that there was continuous music when one band took a break.
Ella Fitzgerald began singing with the Chick Webb Orchestra in 1935 and took over the band leader role when Chick Webb passed away in 1939.
The Savoy hosted battle of the bands contests where the Chick Webb Orchestra competed with the likes of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra and Duke Ellington.
Frankie Manning and Norma Miller and Savoy Ballroom Benny Goodman vs Chick Webb
Count Basie
“The Kid From Red Bank” was born and raised in Red Bank where he honed his piano chops playing for silent movies at the Palace Theatre, After arriving in Harlem anound 1920 and then touring on the vaudeville circuit, William Basie, now known as “Count” Basie, joined the Bennie Moten Band in Kansas City (“Moten Swing”). After several band reorganizations, Count Basie brought his orchestra to the Woodside Hotel in Harlem (“Jumping at the Woodside”).
In 1938, Count Basie with Billie Holliday took on Chick Webb with Ella Fitzgerald at the Savoy. As Metronome magazine proclaimed, "Basie's Brilliant Band Conquers Chick's"
Of course, controversy always surrounded who won these “battle of the bands", however, Count Basie became a favorite of Frankie Manning whose favorite song to dance to became the Count’s “Shiny Stockings”.
Duke Ellington
Born in Washington D.C. in 1899 to musical parents, Edward Kennedy Ellington began studying piano when he was seven or eight. He obtained the moniker “Duke” as a teenager. He began his professional career at 17 playing ragtime around D.C.s night spots. His first foray into NYC in 1922 did not go well, but he was encouraged to return a year later by Fats Waller, It was due to Duke’s gig at the Cotton Club which was broadcast over radio that his fame grew, not just across America, but in Europe as well.
Duke and his swinging songs have become, and remain, favorites of Lindy Hoppers. Songs such “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” “Take The A Train,” pay homage to the dance culture that existed in Harlem nurturing the swing era.
"Hurry - get on now it's coming
Listen - to these rails a-humming - all board
Get on the "A"-Train
Soon You will be on sugar hill in Harlem"
- Take The A Train
Captures the excited anticipation. of being there when the band starts playing.
While Ellington revolutionized jazz, often by defying boundaries of genre, Duke and his band could swing. Duke Ellington’s orchestra are credited as the one band to outdo Chick Webb at a battle of the bands at the Savoy Ballroom.