This is not an exhaustive list of some of the greatest inspirational dancers of the Jazz era! (in no particular order)
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JOSEPHINE BAKER
She sashayed onto a Paris stage during the 1920s with a comic, yet sensual appeal that took Europe by storm. Famous for barely-there dresses and no-holds-barred dance routines, her exotic beauty generated nicknames Black Venus, Black Pearl and Creole Goddess.
source: Official site of Josephine Baker |
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NORMA MILLER
Norma won the Apollo Theater Lindy Hop contest in 1934, at the age of 14, and was recruited by Herbert 'Whitey' White the next day. She was one of the winners of the Lindy Hop contest at the Savoy Ballroom's Harvest Moon Ball (The BIG one) in 1935 and those four winners were sent by Whitey on the first Lindy Hop tour of Europe. Norma performed in both "A Day At The Races" and "Hellzapoppin," among many other films and concerts, and at the Savoy Pavilion at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Norma Miller is the author of "Swingin' at the Savoy" considered to be the definitive account of the early days of swing. In February 2007, Norma Miller attended the UK Swing Dance camp, Goodnight Sweetheart (GNSH)
source: Savoy style
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WILLA MAE RICKER
Willa Mae partnered Frankie, Leon James, Al Minns, Russell Williams and others, winning the first Harvest Moon Ball with Leon James in 1935. During World War II, when so many of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers were serving in the armed forces, Willa Mae managed the Harlem Congeroos, considered Whitey's greatest group. Frankie said that Willa was "one of the greatest Lindy hoppers"
source: Savoy style
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SUGAR SULLIVAN
Sullivan got seduced by the Lindy hop when she was 14, and by 1955 she was the Lindy champion of the Harvest Moon Ball. From then on, she was a professional, dancing all day, every day, six days a week, "and I loved it!" Later she joined a revue, Sonny Allen and the Rockets, touring for 12 years in theatres, clubs, with TV gigs thrown in - and raised a family.
Source: Savoy ballroom.com
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ANN JOHNSON
A wonderfully athletic and agile dancer, Ann Johnson was Frankie Manning's partner in Whitey's Lindy Hoppers in 1940-1942. Manning says she was like a cat: " No matter what way I threw her, she would land on her feet...She was also a wonderful human being.".
As a member of Whitey's primo group The Harlem Congaroos , Ann's remarkable dancing can be seen in the feature film Hellzapoppin' and in the popular soundie "Hot Chocolates".
source: Savoy style
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MAMA LU PARKS
Starting as a hat-check girl at the Savoy, Mama Lu soon progressed to becoming a significant dancer there in her own right and finished up getting some of the best of her contemporaries - including Lee Moates, George Sullivan and "Big Nick" - to teach the youngsters....
At a time when popular dance was moving rapidly away from couple dancing, keeping the Lindy Hop alive as a performance and competitive dance form became an increasingly laborious task but she had powerful allies to work with...
Source: Terry Monaghan Savoy ballroom
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DAWN HAMPTON
She is known as an inspiration - and qualified expert - to aspiring young Lindy Hop and Swing dancers. Dawn Hampton's journey as a musician, song-stylist, writer, composer, lyricist, dancer, and compelling personality has taken her from humble American roots to the far corners of the globe. Her many talents and generosity of spirit have brought her acclaim and a wide and adoring following.
Source: Herrang dance camp |
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