Song: Gimme A Pigfoot
Artist: Bessie Smith
Description: This is not really a Lindy Hop song, but a fabulous and very historically important vintage Blues song. It’s tempo is just quick enough that you could do a little bit of Lindy Hop to it, but really it’s the vibe of the song that you’ll want to embrace. Bessie Smith really sets the feeling of the era that we love so much.
Song: Are You Hep To The Jive?
Artist: Cab Calloway
Description: Songs like this are just purely fun! This is why I wish I had been raised during the swing era. Why don’t people write songs like this anymore? Popular music sure has changed.
Song: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Artist: The Andrews Sisters
Description: Continuing today’s Remembrance Day theme and in preparation for Swing Out To Victory, The Andrews Sisters certainly provide the sound and some of the key imagery of 1940s wartime. This is an Andrews Sisters favourite among Lindy Hoppers.
SONG OF THE WEEKSong: 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: 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.
Song: I Hear MusicArtist: 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 OF THE WEEKSong: 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:
EVENTS
NETWORKING
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING (K-12)
SPREADING LINDY HOP ‘ROUND
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
