SONG OF THE WEEK

Song: Route 66

Artist: Nat King Cole

Description: Nat King Cole had the most velvety smooth voice! This is a swinging jazz standard and Nat classic. A definite must in every swinging jazz music collection.

The song is about U.S. Route 66, also known as the Main Street of America or the Mother Road or The most famous road in the world. The song was written by Bobby Troup and originally recorded by the Nat King Cole Trio in 1946, and later it was also performed by such artists as Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, The Manhattan Transfer and even Depeche Mode!

Toronto Lindy Hop Presents: Cabaret! November 26th.

Toronto Lindy Hop is excited to announce the return of this beloved evening of community performances. Song, dance, skits & more followed by a Saturday Night Swing dance, all at the Dovercourt House.

There will be many performances by Bees’ Knees students and instructors, as well as from other members of the community. Don’t miss it!

Please visit the Toronto Lindy Hop website for more information.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Song: Swingin’ At the Seance

Artist: The Johnny Long Orchestra

Description: Looking for a swinging Halloween song? This is a great option. The original is by the Johnny Long Orchestra and has a nice vintage feel to it.

Since then, it’s been covered by a contemporary band called the Moon Rays. Cheesy video, but a fun song.

Artist: Billie Holiday

Description: Billie Holiday is certainly a jazz favourite but not many of her songs are appropriate for Lindy Hop. Here’s one of the few songs that’s swinging and of an appropriate tempo. So great!

Song: Be Careful (If You Can’t Be Good)

Artist: Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra

Description: Most of you will recognize this as my favourite song choice in Beginner Swing classes. I find this song to be the perfect tempo, as well as being a clear recording. I also encourage you to check out other music by Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra.

Song: The Lady is a Tramp

Artist: Tony Bennett & Lady GaGa!

Description: I never ever EVER would have imagined that I would post something about Lady GaGa here. I have never willingly sat through one of her songs until now – yes, I’m a big music snob. But she’s teamed up on Tony Bennett’s Duets II album to make this recording and I think it’s pretty neat. Just the fact that something swinging will be reaching new audiences makes me very pleased.

Now, I’m only really posting this as a novelty. If you’d like to look in to great earlier recordings of this song, check out those below by Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.

Continuing Frankie’s mission of spreading joy through lindy hop.

The Mission

The mission of the Frankie Manning Lindy Hop Legacy Fund is to carry on the work and the spirit of Frankie Manning in spreading the joy of Lindy Hop, danced to big band swing music, throughout the world.

The Vision (“In our wildest dreams…”)

The Lindy Hop will be danced all over the world to live big band music. Everywhere that Lindy Hop is danced, on the dance floors and off, people of diverse backgrounds will treat each other with respect and warmth. The history of Frankie Manning and the originators of the Lindy Hop at the Savoy Ballroom will be well known to dancers and non-dancers everywhere.

The Values

In accordance with Manning’s own values, and those of the Savoy Ballroom where the dance got its start, the fund seeks to promote projects which are grounded in unity and collaboration, and which enable people of all different backgrounds to participate in this joyous dance.

Like Frankie Manning himself, we value:

• Having fun dancing the Lindy Hop
• Historic authenticity in Lindy Hop dancing and music
• Improvisation and continued innovation
• Close relationship between the music and the dance
• Maintaining a true community among dancers
• Mutual respect and cooperation
• Inclusivity (diverse backgrounds: geographic, ethnic, socio-economic, age, ability, etc.)
• Outreach and welcome to newcomers
• Excellence, which can be encouraged through friendly competition
• Continuing Frankie’s mission of spreading joy through lindy hop

PROPOSED PROJECTS OF THE FOUNDATION

EVENTS

• Publicizing events around world memorializing FM, especially on his birthday
• Facilitating Frankie100 celebration in 2014

NETWORKING

• College Clubs
• African-Americans in Lindy Hop
• People working with K-12 age
• Online forums, such as starting scenes; working w kids
• Regional sub organization

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING (K-12)

• School based or not
• Support, information in getting funding, involving parents, curriculum content, etc.
• Perhaps video of successful program(s) to help others

SPREADING LINDY HOP ‘ROUND

• Facilitating publicity
• Support for documentaries
• Support for new scenes

FUNDRAISING

SCHOLARSHIPS

ARCHIVES

Frankie Manning Memorabilia

Frankie Manning Video Collection of Revival

Contact us at frankie@savoystyle.com to volunteer, share ideas or donate funds

Under the auspices of the Houston Swing Dance Society, a 501C3 non-profit organization

SONG OF THE WEEK!

Song: Why Don’t You Do Right

Artist: Peggy Lee

Description: A truly classic song from the swing era. Originally released in 1936 by Kansas Joe McCoy, the lyrics in this song capture the Great Depression. Peggy Lee’s is the most famous recording of the song and it has a great slow swinging feeling that’s perfect for Beginners and experienced dancers alike.

SONG OF THE WEEK!

Song: Splanky

Artist: Count Basie (original), George Gee (contemporary)

Description: Another Count Basie classic! This is a terrific swing song and has been made particularly popular within the contemporary Lindy Hop community by Dawn Hampton. Dawn uses this song in her musicality demonstrations and she is a true embodiment of the music. Her favourite version is George Gee’s very swinging rendition of the song, as illustrated in [4]this clip.

Song:All the Cats Join In

Artist: Benny Goodman & the Pied Pipers

Description: I first heard this song when I was a kid. I remember groovin’ along (as 7 year oldsdo) and enjoying the cartoon video that went along with it. The song was featured in the 1946Disney movie Make Mine Music. The clip from the movie makes me want to go dancing everytime I watch it.

As far as I know there are two version of the song. The first is a regular studio recording and thesecond one is taken directly from the clip. Having seen the clip, I always find it more enjoyabledancing to the movie version with all of the sound effects. My favourite part of the song is whenit changes up at 2:54. It always gets me going.

When I eventually got into Collegiate Shag, Idiscovered it’s a fairly common song among Shag enthusiasts and a lot of fun to dance to.
Watch the clip from Disney’s Make Mine Music: