tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39564739610574497252011-11-03T20:27:36.103-07:00the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.comBlogger201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-61548034830681624642011-09-29T16:59:00.000-07:002011-09-29T16:59:45.969-07:00

This was originally written in 2003 appearing on California Jazz Dance Foundation's website. The Whip, possibly the most distinctive pattern in swing dancing identifiable with one person, Dean Collins.This article is about origin of what has become known as "The Whip" because I find it fascinating and it puts the truth in perspective and the influence of Irene Thomas. Dean Collins, we can

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-19862165903171569042010-12-26T13:28:00.000-08:002010-12-26T13:28:46.275-08:00

Well, I thought I'd post one more time for 2010...I'd actually like to talk about a few dance things, like our Monday nights which are doing great.  Meschiya Lake had the idea one night, as we were drinking at Mimi's and we made the proposal....what i didn't know was Mimi's loves dancing, so anyways, Every monday night we have our free dance class at 9:30 which is about 30 minutes. "Mimi's in

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-58315195485360054612010-08-12T13:16:00.000-07:002010-08-12T13:20:04.660-07:00

Swing Crash Como Italy It's been a long summer, Starting with Swing Crash in Como Italy. Like last year, it focused on great bands and social dancing, with very few dance classes. Thanks to the event, classes don't start until around 2:00 in the afternoon! Talk about "it takes one to know one", I can tell a lot by the event, by it's schedule...that's for sure. The Carling's from Sweden, was in

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-30204685334623189422010-05-18T14:59:00.000-07:002010-05-18T22:51:32.465-07:00

      I finally got back home after all the flight delays and cancellations, thanks to Iceland's friendly volcano. Balboa on the Promenade was a nice event, the floors spoiled me, as i had forgotten momentarily how easy dancing is on nice floors.       I was quickly reminded of how horrible the floors can be here, throw that in with the harsh conditions and lack of etiquette and we have a

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-69116640148512571372010-05-09T08:26:00.000-07:002010-05-18T11:59:10.507-07:00

As promised, This is a List of the CD's used for class's... Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, Lucky Devil The Palmetto Bug Stompers, Live @ DBA The Palmetto Bug Stompers, Ol' New Orleans Home Tuba Skinny,(Self Titled) The Loose Marbles, The Recession session The Loose Marbles, Gum Shoe The New Orleans Cotton Mouth Kings, (self Titled) The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Hope your coming home The

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-46051060165459591272010-04-04T09:07:00.000-07:002010-04-04T09:07:11.331-07:00

It's been a long month, German, Spain, Solvenia and Lithuania, tonight being my last big night in Vilnus but i have classes tomorrow and will probably celebrate one last night, although it will be chill. I've meet some extremely amazing people this month that have been nothing but kind, who shared their homes, food, family and friends making my job so much more rewarding for without them it

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-4208510388173474712010-03-01T16:01:00.000-08:002010-03-01T16:01:24.187-08:00

How lucky I am! Just after the recent amazing release of the new Cotton Mouth Kings, another awesome CD comes out by one of the newer local New Orleans Bands. The Tuba Skinny Band is one of bands that loves busking on Royal street, and seeing them will leave you speechless! Vocalist Erika Lewis fronts the band with Todd, or "Tuba Skinny" handling some of the musical direction, yes, from his

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-31449775000237088432010-02-24T02:57:00.000-08:002010-02-24T21:51:30.059-08:00

The self titled CD "the New Orleans Cotton Mouth Kings" has been a couple weeks now, and for many reason's I continue listening to it, if not for pure pleasure, then to take notes on the concept of this amazing band. The style of music alone is something to ponder, taste, digest and yes, relish in the after taste. I've heard the members claim the style as being "New Orleans Swing", a description

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-61600881174730932232010-02-22T01:33:00.000-08:002010-02-22T17:06:19.517-08:00

Aside from being difficult responding to multiple users named anonymous, if i'm to take the time to share or respond to someone. i'd at least like to know the person is real, or at least has real intentions. so I'm laying down some type of comment security, logging in, or something....thanks to everyone that reads!   So again, feel free to post or comment, however...use your darn name, so we

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-58678536394837687452010-02-11T01:45:00.000-08:002010-02-11T01:52:49.916-08:00

 I came across this article in the special collections at Tulane University which I've linked at the bottom. I met Bruce a few years back in Moscow, Idaho at the Lionel Hampton archive. His knowledge is amazing, and this article along with many others has helped me to further research specially on the history of dance. So, I hope you enjoy it...without people like Bruce, reseaching, putting the

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-952743628799396392010-02-08T03:29:00.000-08:002010-02-10T02:52:53.638-08:00

One question that always comes up when teaching, is how to dance fast. Dancing fast was never an issue, or a problem for me, because the simple fact is I dance for fun, first and foremost. In my early days of dancing as a "beginner" , i got up from my chair when the music moved me to do so, regardless of tempo. We never thought in terms of tempo, we just stepped on the floor with our Partner and

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-43641867388178173472010-01-22T00:44:00.001-08:002010-03-17T10:13:52.035-07:00

Sorry, it's been awhile since i blogged but so much has been going on it's a bit hectic. I'm finally all moved in, and for the most part adjusted. I will say it's a dream to be able to finally make a living playing music and dancing. For those that don't know I moved into Jelly Roll Morton's childhood home New Orleans on Frenchmen st. and that can be a blog all by it's self. (it has been) After

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-54522395604773539902009-10-24T04:37:00.000-07:002009-10-24T04:58:03.360-07:00

I snapped this shot of Lionel struttin down Frenchman street on a Sunday afternoon.One could not help to notice the fashion statement this legendary New Orleans figure makes. Lionel plays Bass drum and sings with the Treme Brass Band, named after The Treme neighborhood which borders the French Quarter. I believe the Treme is the actual home of Jazz, and it was these musicians that simply worked

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-52491210613810448512009-10-05T20:03:00.000-07:002009-10-05T20:18:00.614-07:00

Another legendary dancer/performer/musician I've been fortunate to meet and become friends over the years is Dawn Hampton. I really never know what to expect, she is one of the smartest people i know, that can steal the show from anybody,anytime she chooses.Dawn was born in 1928, in Middletown, Ohio. Her father, Clark Deacon Hampton, Sr., had a family band and vaudeville act that was part of a

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-18525642354827202842009-08-31T14:10:00.000-07:002009-08-31T15:51:02.635-07:00

   This is an article I wrote about one of the many legends of dance that I've met, interviewed or in this case became good friends with. Jimmy was long retired living with his wife Mariam in Las Vegas at the time I got to know him. It didn't take long for us to bond as he enjoyed the early years of his life and dancing so much, what started out as an interview turned into years and countless

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-32624341444548009222009-08-18T23:33:00.000-07:002010-02-13T13:05:38.477-08:00

It's been forever since i did anything on the internet because I've been strapped into traveling, working and then when time finally gives you a small break, the unexpected happens... My time away from my internet time of updates, blogs and post started with the passing of Frankie Manning. I had been speaking to Elliot regularly about Frankies 95th birthday event which had been in the works

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-2018678031656996222009-03-26T13:50:00.000-07:002009-03-30T11:18:08.470-07:00

What is this dance all the kids are doing today called Collegiate Shag? where did it come from and what is it's history? The truth is the history is very spotty, very little documentation and to make things worse the term "Shag" has come to mean various things just like the term Jitterbug.One of most popular dances in the United States today is called Carolina Shag, or too many in that region

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-21867283070745434142009-03-09T18:44:00.000-07:002009-03-09T18:53:29.862-07:00

The thing about DeanWhat makes me enjoy the dancing of this Dean Collins guy who danced in so many movies during the 1940's? I've been asked this countless times, while out and about, and I have never actually written about my personal opinion. I've inherited many of his belongings and collected tons of memorabilia which allowed me to create an archive in his name but that all has nothing to do

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-30808158271175999072009-03-07T15:24:00.000-08:002009-03-12T14:05:05.496-07:00

One of the The most misunderstood terms and commonly asked questions I've come across in my travels, "What is a Jitterbug"? It doesn't matter where the term came from, and it doesn't matter how it came to be, at least not in this writing. What does matter is it was....and even to this day is being thrown around in various ways. Unfortunately, the answer of "what is a Jitterbug" really is not that

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956473961057449725.post-65598637641024626732009-03-06T12:49:00.000-08:002009-10-22T09:59:29.313-07:00

What is this thing called Jassdancer? well, I guess it's my play on words,in an attempt to be specific, different, crafty or perhaps all?Nowadays, if you call yourself a Jazz dancer, people think of some type of modern dance, or having to do with "Jazz Hands" be it Jack Cole or Bob Fosse.Obviously, I could use the term Authentic Jazz Dance or even Vernacular Jazz dance which would be

the Jassdancerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04902194561883643257noreply@blogger.com1