Description
Book SynopsisDancer, 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 \u0022spread the power of swing across the world like Wildfire.\u0022 A dance contest winner by 14, Norma Miller became a member of Herbert White's 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 home of the Lindy Hop and he birthplace of memorable dance hall fads. 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. Readers will experience the legend of the celebrated Harlem ballroom and the phenomenal Swing generation that changed music and dance history forever.
Trade Review"This is an important book, bringing some much-overdue attention to the swing dancers who along with the musicians defined the era." -Robert Tate, Jazz Now "A refreshing look at the history of swing dancing is Swingin' at the Savoy... Miller has not only created an entertaining history of swing, but more importantly, gives the reader a sense of the personalities of people and places most have only heard of. The book is unique as a humorous autobiography, full of youthful antics and charm. Delightful anecdotes and photos of big bands give us a view of swing music and its popularity in a real world aspect different than most music historians today." -Lance Benishek, Dancing USA
Table of ContentsCONTENTS Acknowledgments Preface - Ernie Smith 1. Coming Home 2. Coming to America 3. Norman Miller 4. The Early Years 5. The Savoy 6. Coming of Age 7. A Man Called Whitey 8. The Harvest Moon Ball 9. The Swingin' Generation 10. The Other Side of the Ballroom 11. Ethel Waters 12. Savoy at the World's Fair 13. Hollywood Calls 14. Swingin' Down to Rio 15. Moving On 16. Norma Miller Dancers 17. On the Road Again 18. Swingin' into the Future 19. Saying Goodbye Epilogue - Robert P. Crease
