Any Lindy Hopper can do a swingout, but how many Lindy Hoppers can do a swingout that meshes with, flows with, and becomes a part of the music and its rhythms in the way that Frankie could, or the way that Skye and Frida can?
You’ll often hear it said that Lindy Hop needs swing music - that the two go hand in hand, but why is this?
You’re probably aware that Swing music and Lindy evolved together, but what does this mean? Why does it matter? And how does it affect our dancing?
Here’s what Andy has to say . . . . .
“I feel some of the answers can be had by taking a good look at swing music - its history, the musicians who created it, how swing orchestras work, the elusive, mysterious and sometimes downright baffling secrets behind what swing is...
by developing our understanding of this, we can take steps to improve our musicality and dancing, to enjoy our dancing more, and to really enjoy swing music on a much deeper and more rewarding level.
As dancers, as DJs, consciously or otherwise, we all find ourselves on some kind of musical journey, where our skills and tastes continually refine and develop. My Djing has put me on a personal quest to try to develop my own understanding of swing, initially to help choose better music for Lindy Hop, but later on through an increasing fascination with the music, its history, and its great artists. This talk will take you on a whirlwind tour through that journey, some of the discoveries I’ve made, and some of the conclusions I’ve come to. In the process, I hope to add to your own musical knowledge, and help you take your own next steps towards that improved feeling for the music and the dance.”
Come along to an informal seminar with plenty of opportunities to ask questions over relaxing drinks in one of the friendliest arts centres.
The legendary Dawn Hampton once said that if you want to improve your dancing, there is no better way than to dance all forms of dance. This, in many ways, has been Joo-Lee’s own philosophy and experience. Joo-Lee danced ballet as a child, was inspired and taught by the Jiving Lindy Hoppers since 1993 and has trained and gained social dance experience in Lindy Hop, Contemporary, Street, Salsa, Jive and Tap, all of which have influenced Joo-Lee’s own individual creative style.
Joo-Lee has a contagious enthusiasm for both dancing and teaching, ensuring an energy and buzz to any class or event she’s involved with. Highly qualified, Joo-Lee’s background is as a former director of performing arts, as well as having had formal training in music and, most recently, life coaching, all of which combine to produce a highly effective, ever inspiring talent and expertise for building dance confidence and improving skills, performance and techniques in dancers of all levels. Above all, Joo-Lee advocates that those who enjoy learning will in turn learn more and will learn more quickly. Given the thousands of people she has worked with, together with her warm, relaxed nature, it is no surprise that Joo-Lee has successfully demonstrated that this is very much the case!
Andy is very much our music man! His overt passion for jazz, swing and blues has inevitably led to an extensive, ever growing music collection to be proud of and this, together with his innate musicality and dance knowledge has ensured Andy’s reputation as a highly acclaimed Swing and Blues DJ, invited to play at numerous events all over the world! Lindy Jazz are thrilled to claim Andy as our own resident DJ and it goes without saying that each event is guaranteed to offer the perfect soundtrack for an unforgettable dance experience, with a carefully managed atmosphere through music sensitive to the dancer’s every mood.
This instinctive understanding of music has leant itself to Andy’s trademark smooth, connected and highly musical dance style!
Andy’s dance background began in the world of ballroom in 1990, followed by a growing passion for Modern Jive and an increasing devotion to blues dance and Lindy Hop, further fuelling his enthusiasm for social dance. Andy can boast a most impressive foundation for his dance training, having studied with top teachers such as Frankie Manning, Steven Mitchell, Peter Loggins and Russell Sargeant. Other influences include Salsa, Ballroom and Argentine Tango and his extensive experience, combined with Andy’s friendly, easy-going attitude have resulted in an accessible, motivational and connection-based teaching style which encourages everyone to feel welcome and included, promotes a relaxed environment and delivers positive responses from all our Lindy Hoppers!
