Lindy Hop Sam Jackson

Quick definition “America’s True National Folk Dance” – LIFE Magazine Born in the Harlem Renaissance during the early 1920s, as great numbers of African Americans migrated to New York City. It represented a modern/urban newfound identity. Named after the famous transatlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh, who “hopped” the Atlantic in 1927 It was a partner dance that combined the popular European social dances of the day such as the foxtrot and the waltz, as well as jazz steps of the era, such as the Charleston, the Cakewalk, and the Break-Away.

Origin “Dance has always played a central role in African American life. Since the early days of slavery, it has served as a vehicle for communication, solidarity, community, and catharsis” – Lynn Emery Explosive and dynamic social dancing was an expressive practice of freedom, liberation, self- reclamation, community formation, and creativity against the white racist society within which African Americans were situated. In Harlem a space was established for black entertainment and culture to flourish outside the surveillance of racist white society. Dance became the focal point. The Savoy Dance Hall and social dancing provided this orientation and centre for the community. By combining African, African American, European, and Anglo- American steps, the dance emerged as a truly hybridized form, similar to the swing music that accompanied it.

origin “As an expressive practice, this creative cultural labour was a way of reclaiming the body back from wage labour and white exploitation in the form of pleasure and cultural expression for oneself and for ones community.” - Black Hawk Hancock

Swing “Swing is a dangerous attempt to ‘improve’ Jazz… less authentic and just a passing fad” Swing moved Jazz from traditional New Orleans Folk music to a commercial and romantic dance sound Embodies the spirit of Hot Jazz Evolution or Destruction? Created by Dancers?

The lindy hop It’s distinguishing feature was heightened kinetic vigour “A dance which uses the whole body far more than the conventional steps of the foxtrot and one-step.... It added the movements of the hips, thighs, buttocks” – Gilbert Seldes Lindy hop often incorporated and transformed steps and movements from other dances The Foxtrot was danced in 2, the Lindy Hop is danced in 4/4 time (four beats to the bar rhythm) Each couple danced to a 32 measure chorus Too vulgar for Ballroom.

The lindy hop Lindy Hop 2013 Finals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9xxeWRxSbA Lindy Hop Beginners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU_W1QgRRfk Foxtrot: Aston and Mollie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugg_qbJamGk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODzgV9rQ2mE Charleston: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWJH3Kx3nmM

who African American origin but popularised and became mainstream. Whites travelled to Harlem to watch and learn first hand Hot Jazz and Swing revolutionised Social Dance. African Americans, European Americans, Elites, Middle class and Blue collar workers could all learn it. Very easy steps. Loosening of Aristocratic conventions in dance Women became more independent

Radio and cinema Electronic recording revolutionised dissemination Guitar, piano and drums could now be recorded and played on Radio / Records. Touring Shows spread the spectacle and radio spread the music After Seben was the first Film to capture Swing Dance on tape

impact Music had to develop to keep up Impact on later dances e.g. Jitterbug, Jive, Jazz and Tap It pushed Musicians to embrace their individuality and develop solos and/or improvisation Very Commercial, bound traditional and modern jazz enthusiasts together.