GOOD OL', GOOD OL' 
THOSE WERE THE DAYS!

LEON JAMES
dancing at the Savoy

Excerpt of the documentary
"The Spirit Moves" (1950s)
by Mora Dehn

Leon James is one of the most reknown original Savoy dancers. He was a member of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the most famous dance troupe in Swing history.

His dancing comes always with ease and wit, he's all style and music.

LEON JAMES
PEPSI BETHEL and
AL MINNS
dancing the Tranky Doo

Excerpt of the documentary
"The Spirit Moves" (1950s)
by Mora Dehn

This footage is such a sweet watch! When I saw it for the first time, the most important message to me was: Even though they dance a routine, each of them has his very own thing going on. 
Celebrating individuality!

"SHORTY" GEORGE SNOWDEN
among others

Excerpt of the movie
"After Seben" (1929)

It's great to see the different couples, having their own styles. Then comes Shorty George, apparently a bit nervous, and offers that extra bit that makes me sigh.
His sweet petite partner, announced as "Lisa Underdunk" is so beautifully delicate and light, I'd love to see more of her!

EARL "SNAKE HIPS" TUCKER
(1930)

This is just crazy impressive, and one of the most shining examples of having a unique style.

He sure found his and developed it to a level that is sheer jawdropping.

JOSEPHINE BAKER
shaking that thäng
(1927)

Ah, Josephine.
Being a cool woman all in all, she has a verve and a humour that's pretty much undefeated.

She had her very own head, and this you can see every step of the way in her very own dancing.

SOME GREAT STUFF FROM NOWADAYS
THESE ARE THE DAYS!

DAWN HAMPTON
shaking that thäng
in 2010
(being 80 years old!)

Dawn Hampton grew up in a touring music family. She keeps reminding the contemporary Swing dance scene of how essential it is to just listen to the music, to feel the beat – to LET GO AND LET DANCE!

Look at her, how it all comes from deep within and shows in the smallest detail – and her face.

DAWN HAMPTON
dancing to her favorite tune, "Splanky" by Count Basie
in 2010
(being 80 years old!)

I love this clip as it demonstrates the delicacy that Swing dancing has to offer, next to all the high energy, high speed excitement.

THOMAS BLACHARZ and
ALICE MEI
are two Swing dancers of nowadays that I never get tired of seeing them dance – here's a clip from 2015

These two dancers from Montpellier, France, are always worth the watch!
What inspires me most about their dancing is their musicality/ rhythmicality, their ease, their playfulness – and the joy they show! There's never anything "show-off-y" in their dances, and yet it's darn capturing.