Swing Dance Inspiration #52
Beale Street Blues, Ella in St Louis Blues, Tops and Wilda
Hey Dancers!
Summer is hitting hard here in Spain. It’s been hot and wonderful. I’ve got some hiking trips planned this season that will strengthen my legs for more dancing!
This last weekend, I taught a taster solo Jazz class at a Salsa Congress weekend. It was a fun experience to see accomplished Salsa and Bachata dancers take on Jazz rhythms. There is so much common vocabulary, just a different execution between latin dances and Jazz dances.
Song of the Month
I’m still on an Ella Fitzgerald kick this month. Her repertoire is so vast and musically varied. I’m entering the summer season feeling very chill. Imagine listening to this song on the porch, a spritzy drink in hand, while your feet tap along to the rhythm.
It’s “Beale Street Blues” from Ella Fitzgerald’s Ella Sings the Blues album of 1956. Her voice is pure magic in this one.
As a bonus, here’s Ella singing the same song (it has a slightly different title) in the 1958 movie “St. Louis Blues.” Online sources say this version is called “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
Ella Fitzgerald in “St. Louis Blues” (1958)
Video Inspiration
Wilda Crawford and Thomas “Tops” Lee were part of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. They won the 1940 Harvest Moon Ball. But despite that, they didn’t make the final casting of the iconic “Hellzapoppin’.”
In this clip, there are three sections that feature Tops and Wilda as they dance to Henry Woods and his Orchestra in the short film “Love in Syncopation” from 1946. Their first appearance features the classic Jazz routine the Tranky Doo. Their second has some classic Jazz steps (do you see moments of the Big Apple?). Finally, they partner up in a very “Hellzapoppin’”-esque routine.
They don’t always look the most in-synch. I think that’s due to their styling. Tops is more of “hit it and stick it” with his shapes while Wilda moves more fluidly through the beats.
Tops and Wilda in “Love in Syncopation” 1946
Looking for some dance inspiration?
I teach private lessons online, I’m available for gigs, and I have a video feedback option if you want to send me your dancing for critique. Email me to set it up or with any questions. I’m currently located in Ourense, Spain and I’m available for teaching in person (and anywhere in the world online).
Virtual Private lessons are via Google Meet, Zoom, or Facebook Video Chat.
Happy dancing!
Lainey
Thank you for Beale Street Blues! Excellent. I had never heard this one.