Reviews (1)

trivia, not how-to
Want to know what the "buck and wing" looks like? The "black bottom," "shorty george," "eagle rock" or "Jersey bounce"? Well, if you can read Labanotation, you can find out from the last pages of this book. Otherwise, you'll just have to settle for a bunch of dance history and anecdotes strung together by the Stearns, who interviewed as many American jazz dancers as they could still find alive.

It's fascinating stuff, though. The text does give some limited descriptions, and opening the book to a random page reveals both " . . .Crawley danced while he played clarinet, juggling the pieces as he dismantled it" and "As performed by Little Egypt at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, where it first received national attention as the Hootchy-Kootchy, the Shake dance was not particularly rhythmic."

As an actual history of American dance, for me this book lacks coherence. But I did learn about ways in which African dance influenced American, see the names of quite a lot of performers, steps, and performance venues, and learn to play the "Buck Dancer's Lament" on the piano. If you want something you can read a page of and then put down until later, this will fill the bill. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Easy to follow, splendid jazz training system
As a former dancer, now teacher and choreographer, I have been dancing and teaching Luigi's style for many years(without reading his book). I was taught by an amarican dancer, so when I recently read the book, I was surprised how well known the exercises and not less Luigi's philosophy was to me. The book is a perfect way to learn jazz, diff. steps (lots of small photographs) and not to forget his brilliant idea why to "take the barre with you" out on the floor. The most complete jazz system I've ever trained.
The book is easy read, easy to follow even for beginners, and not to forget - a perfect way to get strong,long and smooth muscles. I can only recommend the book - a fine supplement to related books and videos.

A great book for those interested in dance
I thought this book was great! Luigi's personal and professional story is truly inspirational. All aspects of this book was well written. I found the content of this book a tremendous help. I highly recommend it to those such as myself who have never taken a dance class, but are interested in signing up for class and need to prepare in advance for flexibility, strength, etc. The book is easy to follow; the photographs give plenty of visual detail and the descriptions are specifically written to be easily followed by a novice. The exercises in this book condition the body wonderfully in preparation for dance. ... Read more

Book Description

Written in an accessible, easy-to-read style, Jump into Jazz provides students with well-illustrated descriptions of all basic jazz steps and movements and valuable information on alignment, improvisation, injury prevention, nutrition and fitness, and history of jazz dance. Throughout the text, Movement Tips boxes help students with particularly challenging movements, and Precaution boxes help students utilize correct techniques and avoid injury. ... Read more

Book Description

Cholly Atkins´s career has spanned an extraordinary era of American dance. He began performing during Prohibition and continued his apprenticeship in vaudeville, in nightclubs, and in the army during World War II. With his partner, Honi Coles, Cholly toured the country, performing with such jazz masters as Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and Count Basie. As tap reached a nadir in the fifties, Cholly created the new specialization of "vocal choreography," teaching rhythm-and-blues singers how totheir music by adding rhythmical dance steps drawn from twentieth-century American dance, from the Charleston to rhythm tap. For the burgeoning Motown record label, Cholly taught such artists as the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and Marvin Gaye to command the stage in ways that would enhance their performances and "sell" their songs.tells of Cholly´s boyhood and coming of age, his entry into the dance world of New York City, his performing triumphs and personal tragedies, and the career transformations that won him gold records and a Tony for choreographingon Broadway. Chronicling the rise, near demise, and rediscovery of tap dancing, the book is both an engaging biography and a rich cultural history. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Class Act is No "Act"
This is a great read from start to finish. The life of Cholly Atkins, a surprisingly unsung pioneer who should be a legend in his own time. It relieves readers of their ignorance about the many ways his influence has been in their lives all along, and how much they have to thank him for regarding many features of American popular dance culture that are traced right back to his doorstep. Great inside stories about many American music and dance icons. The only thing missing in having the entire book written in his (very colorful and endearing) voice is hearing more quotes and tales others might have to tell about what it was/is like to work under him, with him, and to be taught by him. Room for a sequel? Well and thorouhly researched by the co-author. Warm and genuine. There is something here for anyone with a pulse. ... Read more

Book Description

This text provides necessary theory with an easy-to-read and understandable format that allows instructors to devote class time to dance. Please see Adams Racquetball Today for more information. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book
I was introduced to this book by my dance teacher who just so happens to be the author. I was studying, in fact, the basics of jass dance in order to furthur educate myself on the art. This book proved invaluable and was splendidly written and I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Comprehensive Guide to Jazz Dance Methods
Frank Hatchett and Nancy Myers Gitlin have provided a thoroughly comprehensive guide to jazz dance. Whether enthusiastic novice or experienced jazz dancer, this book is a tremendous resource on the methodology of jazz dance. The unique expressive nature of Frank Hatchett's jazz style is captured and broken down, with detailed warm-ups and movements, truly helpful technique tips and anecdotes from the authors. The history of this unique style of jazz dance is documented, which is a great resource for those studying dance at the collegiate level. What I found particularly helpful is understanding the various elements of Frank's style, known as VOP, and becoming comfortable with now teaching this to my students. The book even has an introduction by one of Frank's star students---Brooke Shields! Nancy Myers Gitlin has done a great job collaborating with this dance legend to document this influential jazz dance style. I would recommend this book HIGHLY!

Frank Hatchett's Jazz Dance
This book is every dancers dream. It is wonderful and very touching. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Overview of Dance/Music History
This book is a great condensed overview of different eras and their styles of dancing and music. It also had some exercises for Jazz students including pictures, which is very helpful. I enjoyed the book.

Wanting to learn about Jazz? This is the book for you!
This book was very insightful. It gave a detailed history of where Jazz began and how it has developed to the present day. It also discussed proper nutrition a dancer should have, classroom etiquette, injury prevention and much more. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn or teach jazz. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nicely illustrated and useful
This book is an introduction to basic patterns and exercises in modern and jazz dance. It serves its purpose well, and the illustrations are effective in conveying to the reader the sequence of steps needed to do the exercises. The photographs also serve to inspire the beginning student of dance into what is possible in this art form. The author also gives the rthythmic timing in all the exercises, making it easier to pick music to accompany. Teachers will find it useful in lesson planning and as a reference. ... Read more

Book Description

Long before Martin Williams, Gene Lees, or Gunther Schuller, Roger Pryor Dodge was writing seriously about jazz. A ballet, vaudeville, and jazz dancer, Dodge turned his critical attention to the music in the 1920s, helping to build the respect jazz has long since achieved.Now, for the first time, the essays and reviews of one of America's first great jazz critics has been collected in one volume. Hot Jazz and Jazz Dance gathers thirty years of Dodge's writing, from 1929 to 1958, offering a remarkable chronicle of the changing music and one writer's ever-growing appreciation of it. The classically trained Dodge came to jazz in the early 1920s; he quickly developed a love for the authentic, non-commercial sounds of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, and scores of now-forgotten musicians.In these essays, we share a highly personal yet professional encounter with the music--in a moving profile, for instance, of Bubber Miley ("the greatest trumpeter in jazz history--in fact, the greatest musician of them all"), who died of tuberculosis at age thirty.He ranges across the musical spectrum, from the Cuban sexteto to the blues of Lead Belly. Dodge was alsoa professional dancer, however, and this collection contains many of his articles on everything from mambo to Nijinsky (the author owned one of the largest and most important collections of photographs of the great dancer's work, and donated it to the New York Public Library) to a short essay on the young Elvis Presley ("without his having all the necessary elements that combine to make a great dancing talent, he does have the stance of a very great performer"). In addition, this volume offers Dodge's significant writing on classical music, including a piece on Baroque playing styles. Almost forgotten today, Roger Pryor Dodge was an essential force in making America's music critics take hot jazz and jazz dance seriously. A must for any jazz fan or student of modern culture, this collection deftly captures Dodge's excitement and critical insight. ... Read more

Book Description

Jazzism is another name for Neoliberal Arts. Neoliberal Arts is about the interpretation and critique of all branches of learning. Neoliberal Arts means new Liberal Arts. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good overview of jazz technique
This book is a good introduction to jazz dance and emphasizes the building of technique not only via the steps and movements themselves but with also from an appreciation of the cultural origins of the dance. It could be read by dancers or teachers needing an organized set of exercises, or by those who want a deeper appreciation of this form of dance. There are many good photographs in the book, and many illustrations of human anatomy to assist in the discovery of the muscles involved in dance. The opposition of forces and movements, and the many isolations in the body, give jazz its unique characteristics. This interesting and fun art form is nicely summarized in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Dancer, award-winning choreographer, show producer, stand-up comedienne, TV/film actress and author, Norma Miller shares her touching historical memoir of Harlem's legendary Savoy Ballroom and the phenomenal music and dance craze that "spread the power of Swing across the world like Wildfire."

It was a time when the music was Swing, and Harlem was king. Renowned as 'the world's most beautiful ballroom" and the largest, most elegant in Harlem, the Savoy was the only ballroom not segregated when it opened in 1926. The Savoy hosted the best bands and attracted the best dancers by offering the challenge of fierce competition. White people traveled uptown to learn exciting new dance styles. A dance contest winner by fourteen, Norma Miller became a member of Herbert White's world-famous Lindy Hoppers and a celebrated Savoy Ballroom Lindy Hop champion.

Swingin' at the Savoy chronicles a significant period in American cultural history and race relations, as it glorifies the popularized home of the Lindy Hop, and the birthplace of such memorable dance fads as the Big Apple, Shag, Truckin', Peckin', Susie Q, Charleston, Peabody, Black Bottom, Cake Walk, Boogie Woogie, Shimmy, and tap dancing.

Miller shares fascinating anecdotes about her youthful encounters with many of the greatest jazz legends in music history including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters, and even boxer Joe Louis. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fluffy but Fun
In the 1930s and 1940s, Swing jazz captivated America in a way no musical style ever had before. Swing was largely developed in Harlem and its driving beat made dance an inevitable component of this new music. The new dance created was the lindy hop, a non-classic couples dance largely created on the floor of the Savoy Ballroom.

Swinging at the Savoy traces the life of Harlemite Norma Miller, who came of age just at the perfect time to invest her entire future in a faddish dance despite protests from her disapproving mother.

Of course, Norma beat the odds and made a decent living as a performer, but this is not what the book is about. The real draw of this book is the chance to glean musical and dance history straight from the horses mouth. Indeed, Norma discusses the bands, the clientele, the lifestyle, the celebrities she met, and racial issues, but more often than not the bubbly Norma gets caught up in the warmth of her very dear memories.

Swinging at the Savoy follows Norma through innumerable dance
performances, which were far from dull thanks to infectious Norma's joy and enthusiasm for dance. However, I would have preferred that her performances had been given a bit less weight and more had been included a few more anecdotes on Duke Ellington and Chick Webb, more discussion on issues such as the development of the music and dance, and how interracial dancing was possible in the dark ages of the 1930s.

Of course, the book is subtitled The Memoir of a Jazz Dancer and so I cannot really fault the book for putting the events of Norma's life at the center. Furthermore, the book is prefaced with an excellent essay by jazz expert Ernie Smith that provides a solid historical perspective on the music and dance of Swing.

Swinging at the Savoy is a breeze to read and includes a good number of photographs that help bring the book to life. I recommend this book to anyone interested in African-American culture, jazz, dance, or U.S. history.

True Original
Norma Miller, the youngest member of the original swing dance troupe, Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, had to do some sneaking around in order to dance at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem some 60-odd years ago.

If the spunk she has now is any indication of what she was like at 15, though, it's no surprise she helped invent a whole new dance form.

This down-to-earth personal memoir by an effervescent woman whose first and last love is the excitement of swing is an invigorating read for almost anyone.

It might make you want to drop everything and go out and dance . . .or it might just give you a better understanding of the history of Harlem and the extraordinary people who helped keep it on the map all these years with their artistic spirits and rich energy.

For the true lindy hopper... the first book of choice.
Forget those neo-swing books... this is the one to get if you want to know about the tales and stories from the start of it all. Wonderfully told from a first person account...

Very Good Swing Dance Book
Norma Miller is one of the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers who danced at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. It has some nice Pictures and some great information ,although it is about her personal bio at the Savoy and other dance spots she was in over the years, it is a little biased about Norma (understandably) and The role that she and the Hoppers played in the Making of popular Lindy Hop. It could have had more stories about the other dancers and places. It is however a major recomendation for any Swing Dancer/Fan. ... Read more