xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx photo/ Ralph Gabriner/ 1980'sFRANKIE MANNING/ MAY 26,1914- April 27,2009
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Frankie Manning was known as the Ambassodor of the Lindy Hop. The leading dancer at Harlem's legendary Savoy Ballroom, he revolutionized the Lindy Hop in the 1930's. He appeared around theworld with Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie,
Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington.
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He performed in numerous films including Hellzapoppin. He was also highlighted in Ken Burn's documentary, "Jazz".
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When the Swing Era ended, he took a job in the Post Office, where he worked for 30 years, until the revival of swing when he was rediscovered by a new generation of enthusiasts. Since then he has been teaching, choreographing, and performing around the world. In 1989 he won a Tony Award for "Black and Blue",and served as a consultant to Spike Lee's Malcom X. His life has been chronicled in many articles and dozens of programs.
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In honor of his 85th birthday in 1999, he danced with 85 partners at the Roseland Ballroom, his name on the marquee, where he had been turned away in the 1930's because he was black.
xxxxx Whitey's Hopping Maniacs, at the Moulon Rouge, Paris, 1937
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Frankie Manning died a few days short of his 95th birthday. He was planning on celebrating at a 5 day Birthday Festival in New York. Organizers have gone ahead with the schedule, set for May 21- 25, now his memorial.
Frankie Manning on tour
with Lucille Middleton,
in 1938
Steel/ Auckland
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If you can, upload the Frankie Manning "Hellzapoppin"
YouTube video. To see him dance, oh my!!
I would if I could, but my computer is
now inhabited by gremlins!!
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