In the late 1920's in Harlem Lindy Hop was breaking out wherever people were partying... But it wasn't until after the opening of the Savoy Ballroom that Lindy Hop got its name and a home. At the Savoy the Lindy Hop got hotter and hotter, as people danced to the top Big Bands in the land. And it got better and better, as the popular Saturday night competitions pushed good dancers to greatness. New steps were born every day. The styling got refined and was executed so well that the dance was a joy to watch as well as do. When it looked like it couldn't get any better, a young dancer named Frankie "Musclehead" Manning created the first airsteps in 1935, and the Lindy Hop soared.

Lindy Hop became a dance craze worldwide, known as Jitterbug. It evolved into many forms, such as West Coast Swing, Rock'n'Roll, and Boogie Woogie. But the authentic style, the original style, will always be the Savoy Ballroom style from Harlem, USA.

DANCING LEGENDS

Frankie Manning
Swing dancer extraordinaire Frankie Manning was a leading dancer at Harlem's legendary Savoy Ballroom where, in the mid-1930s, he revolutionized the course of the lindy hop with his innovations, including the lindy air step and synchronized ensemble lindy routine.

Leon James
Leon James, one of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, had one of the greatest on-stage personalities in Lindy Hopping. With his constantly moving legs and hands and his flashing eyes, everyone would always notice him first.

Al Minns
One of the great dancers of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, Al Minns was an energetic dancer with a wild, crazy-leg style reminiscent of "Long-Legged George" Grenidge.

DANCING GREATS OF TODAY

Ryan Francois and Jenny Thomas www.ryanandjenny.com - YouTube clips
Skye Humphries - YouTube clips
Sakarias Larsson www.harlemhotshots.com - YouTube clips
Steven Mitchell and Virginie Jensen www.stevenandvirginie.com - YouTube clips
Frida Segerdahl www.harlemhotshots.com - YouTube clips
Rob and Diane van Haaren www.yeahman.com
Sinclair Ang www.jazzinc.wordpress.com - YouTube clips