>

Frankie Manning’s Favourite Big Band Swing Music

On May 26th, Lindy Hoppers from all over the world will be celebrating Swing dancer extraordinaire Frankie Manning (and coined by dancers all over as the “Ambassador of the Lindy Hop”). Frankie was a leading dancer at Harlem’s legendary Savoy Ballroom where, in the mid-1930s, he revolutionized the course of the lindy hop with his innovations, including the lindy air step and synchronized ensemble lindy routine.

Frankie also lived to be 94 which is what allowed him to reach newer generations later in life (I even got to meet him. Picture at the end).

Frankie Manning's Favourite Big Band Swing Music

He also was a HUGE lover of Swing Era Big Band Music, maybe it’s because he lived to see so many of those band perform live (Frankie was born May 26th, 1914). I too love this music and that is one of the reasons why I love the Lindy Hop.

So for today’s post in honour of May 26th, I thought it would be fun to share some of Frankie’s favourite swing music from a 2007 album I found online. I will even try to share any videos with him dancing to any of the matching songs if they exist.

If you are a fan of big band music, this post is for you! If you are looking to dance to Frankie’s favourite songs? This post is for you! Enjoy!


The Album: Really Swingin’: Frankie Manning’s Big Band Favorites – various artists. An Essential. One of the best ways to start your collection, this album contains 16 tracks of big band swing music picked out by the man himself, Frankie Manning.

Frankie Manning and Ann Johnson Vintage Dance Photo
Frankie Manning and Ann Johnson Source: Pinterest

The Swing Era Big Band Songs

==> Playlist: Listen on Spotify Here

1. Shiny Stockings – Count Basie & His Orchestra

Frankie Manning and Norma Miller Dancing to Shiny Stockings at Frankie 85 at Roseland Ballroom, NYC 1999 (Video link).

Who was Norma aka the Queen of Swing? Take a read here: Women of the Big Band Era Everyone Should Know Part 1


2. Swingin’ At Newport – Count Basie & His Orchestra

Swingin At Newport (Live (1957/Newport)) · Count Basie (video link).


3. Jersey Bounce – Benny Goodman

“Jersey Bounce” was far-and-away Goodman’s most popular instrumental hit of the 1940s, spending twenty weeks in the national top-10, six of them peaked at #2 (video link).


4. T’aint What You Do – Jimmie Lunceford AKA THE SHIM SHAM (video link)

About the Shim Sham:

The Shim Sham was originally a tap routine that become a popular routine for finale’s where the entire cast of a show would do this routine. Leonard Reed was said to have choreographed the Goofus which was a tap routine that sparked it all. From the Vaudeville finale it made it’s was to New York. It got changed and simplified and eventually you end up with this version of the Shim Sham for Lindy Hoppers.

Then during the Swing Dance revival, Frankie Manning taught it around the world and it has been whole heartedly adopted by lindy hoppers. When this songs plays at a swing event, anywhere in the world, you will get a bunch or people dancing this routine (Source).

Learn the Shim Sham from Frankie Manning & Erin Stevens in 1995 (video link).


5. Begin The Beguine – Artie Shaw (video link)


6. Hamp’s Boogie Woogie – Lionel Hampton & His Septet
(video link)


7. Let’s Get Together – Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
(video link)


8. Tuxedo Junction – Erskine Hawkins & His Orchestra
(video link).

The below video from 1997 is of Frankie teaching ‘The Tranky Doo’ (a famous line dance) that he choreographed. It is also called the ‘Frankie Doo’ as there are two versions of this dance.


9. Segue In C – Duke Ellington & Count Basie
(video link)


10. Posin’ – Jimmie Lunceford
(video link)


11. In The Mood – Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
(video link)


12. Tippin’ In – Erskine Hawkins & His Orchestra
(video link)


13. Flying Home – Lionel Hampton & His Septet
(video link)

I have seen this clip a million times and it still gives me the chills, it’s so good!

The Lindy Hop Swing Dance Scene from 1992 movie Malcolm X featuring Denzel Washington, Spike Lee. Choreographed with the help of Frankie Manning (blue suit) & Norma Miller (yellow dress) also performed in the scene. Otis Sallid/Choreographer.

Song is “Flying Home” by Lionel Hampton. Great Aerials, Floorials, Jitterbug, Charleston, – one of the best Lindy Hop Swing Dance Scenes in a movie. Background dancers include Dawn Hampton & Ryan Francois.


14. Take The ‘A’ Train – Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra
(video link).

This is a segment from the film Reveille with Beverly from 1943; the song was composed in 1939.


15. One O’ Clock Jump – Count Basie & His Orchestra
(video link)


16. Corner Pocket – Count Basie & His Orchestra
(video link)

I hope you enjoyed these fantastic swing tunes and maybe even got in a dance. I know I’m looking forward to dancing to all these tunes at Toronto Lindy Hop World Lindy Hop Big Band Dance on June 1st, 2024. See you there maybe!

Share your favourite song in the comments section below!

Frankie Manning in Toronto
Liz & Frankie Manning

Further Reading:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

Vintage Photos of Mothers: A Must-See Collection (part 3)

Mothers hold a special place in our hearts, shaping us into the people we are today. But have you ever wondered what motherhood looked like decades ago?

Dive into a time capsule of nostalgia as we explore vintage photos of mothers from the 1920s-1950s (part 3). From the roaring twenties to the mid-century fifties, these snapshots capture the essence of motherhood in a bygone era.

So, grab a cup of tea and settle in as we journey through these treasured snapshots.

Note: Mother’s Day is this Sunday May 12th here in Canada (I know other countries celebrate on another date). Happy Mother’s Day to all that celebrate!

1950s vintage photo from 1958 of a young mother holding her new baby in the front yard.

Source: Etsy-therescuedphoto


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 


Vintage Photos of Mothers from the 1920s-1950s

1920s vintage photo. The mother in this image is pregnant (according to the sellers description) and is wearing a 1920s maternity dress. She is happily posing with her young daughter and husband outside.

1920s vintage photo of a 1920s family posing together. The 1920s mother is a 1920s maternity wear dress posing with her young daughter and husband outside. Fantastic 1920s shoes on the woman.

Source: Etsy-AlaskaVintage

1920s photo of three generations of family. You can see the family similarities in their pondering faces for the camera.

1920s vintage photo of Three Generations of family featuring a Black mother, young son and her mother.

Source: Etsy-JakeRoebucks

Camping trip in the 1920s. A young mother poses with her baby and husband in front of their trailer.

I am a big fan of her stripped dress and short 20’s hairstyle.

Further Reading: Vintage Camping Photos

1920s vintage photo of a young 1920s mother posing with her baby and husband in a 1920s stripped dress and short 1920s hairstyle and matching hairscarf.

Source: Etsy-DearMacyVintage

1920s photo. An adorable mother / daughter duo posing together in their 1920s dresses in front of their home that is for rent.

1920s vintage photo of a mother and daughter in 1920s dresses posing out of their home that says for rent. Fantastic 1920s hairstyle inspiration as well.

Source: eBay

Well you can see in this 1930s image that the daughter has gotten her style from her mother. Fantastic 1930s dresses and that tilt hat..drool.

Further Reading: 1930s Fashions As Seen On Everyday People (vintage photos)

1930s vintage photo of two stylish women in 1930s dresses and 1930s hats. A vintage photo of a mother and her daughter. Fantastic 1930s fashion inspiration.

Source: eBay

A stunning 1930s studio portrait of a mother with her two daughters. What a stylish family.

Note: The seller of this image says it’s a 1920s photo, but the mothers dress is very 1930’s so this is why I have labelled this photo 1930s in this post. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

1930s vintage photo of a mother in a 1930s dress and early 1930s hairstyle posing with her cute daughters with bows in their hair and dresses for a studio portrait.

Source: Etsy-LightSilverAndPaper

1930s vintage photo of a mother posing with her young kids. The daughter is wearing a dirndl and big bow in her hair. Not sure of their background but a lovely image.

I was drawn to this photo because I am half German and I have a photo as a baby in a dirndl posing with my grandmother. This photo brought back a memory of this image.

1930s vintage photo of a mother posing with her young kids. The daughter is wearing a dirndl and big bow in her hair

Source: Etsy-DearMacyVintage

1940s photo of a young mother with a head full of curls holding her little baby. Fantastic 1940s hairstyle inspiration.

Further Reading: 1940s Real Life Women’s Hairstyles

1940s vintage photo of a young mother with a head full of curls holding her little baby. Fantastic 1940s hairstyle inspiration

Source: Etsy-JakeRoebucks

1940s vintage photo from 1948 of an older mother posing with her two daughters. Super late 1940s fashion inspiration.

1940s vintage photo from 1948 of an older mother posing with her two daughters in 1940s dresses and 1940s hairstyles

Source: Etsy-DearMacyVintage

1940s vintage photo of a young mother with her son, “Clarence M. Wooley at 5 months”.

1940s vintage photo of a young Black mother with her son, "Clarence M. Wooley at 5 months".

Source: Etsy-JakeRoebucks

1940s photo: A mother poses with her daughters at a party in the summer of 1944. They are holding paddles and stuffed toys, maybe something they won??

1940s photo: A mother poses with her daughters at a party in the summer of 1944. They are holding paddles and stuffed toys, maybe something they won??  I also love the 1940s curly hairstyles on all our ladies.

Source: Etsy-AlaskaVintage

Spring 1943, a mother poses with her son and his tricycle.

1940s vintage photo from 1943 of a mother with her son and his tricycle

Source: Etsy-LostInTimePhotos

1950s vintage photo of a young Japanese mother holding the hand of her adorable sons hand.

1950s vintage photo of a young Japanese mother in a 1950s skirt and cardigan holding the hand of her cute song in overalls and hat.

Source: Pinterest

Summer casual. 1950s vintage photo of a pretty mother in a simple 1950s dress holding her cute little girl in her arms while a young boy stands by.

1950s vintage photo of a young Black mother in a simple 1950s dress holding her cute little girl in her arms while a young boy stands by

Source: Etsy-JakeRoebucks

1957 photo of a mother amusing her toddler daughter with a stuffed dog (or bear) in the living room.

1950s vintage photo of a mother in 1957 playing with a teddy bear with her young toddler child. Mother is in a 1950s dress

Source: Etsy-AlaskaVintage

Christmas Eve 1953, mom is reading a book to her two pajama clad kids by the Christmas Tree.

1950s vintage photo of Christmas Eve 1953 featuring an image of a mother on the couch with her kids in pajamas reading a book with presents by the Christmas Tree

Source: eBay

An optical illusion photo of a mother and daughter having some fun together on a table in this 1950s maybe 1960s photo.

1950s vintage photo of a mother holding up the hem of her daughters plaid dress while standing on a table. Optical Illusion photo

Source: eBay

I always love a good collection of vintage photos as my readers know, so this was another fun one to put together. Hope you enjoyed it as well!

Here is a fav photo of my mom and I about 10 years ago.

Vintage Reproduction Dresses by Glamour Bunny & Bettie Page. 1950s Fashion Inspiration by vintageinn.ca blog

Further Reading:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz