A word from the President

Dance & Swing-related Books, CDs and Videos

 
 Recommended books on Dance History:
 
 

Click here to buy this book!	Jazz Dance : The Story of American Vernacular Dance  by Marshall Winslow Stearns, Brenda Bufalino  Great book on dance history.  Includes an entire chapter on Lindy Hop and the Savoy Ballroom!  A must for anyone interested in swing dance history. Also includes great pictures and a dance footwork chart.
Swingin' at the Savoy : The Memoir of a Jazz Dancer  by Norma Miller, Evette Jensen (Contributor)  In case you don't know, Norma was one of the original Whitey's Lindy Hoppers.  She appeared in many films, including Hellzapoppin and A Day at the Races.  Included are witty stories about the good old days at the Savoy Ballroom.  A must for all lindy hoppers!	Click here to buy this book!
Click here to buy this book!	Swingin' the Dream : Big Band Jazz and the Rebirth of American Culture by Lewis A. Erenberg  New release.  Mostly focuses on "big band jazz" or swing music as we call it and the way it affected popular culture.  Great book!
Swing! The New Retro Renaissance   by V. Vale (Editor)  This book focuses on the new swing movement.  Interviews with The Flyin' Lindy Hoppers, Work that Skirt and the man himself, Frankie Manning.  Although it is extremely San Francisco-centric, this book does include some very good interviews.	Click here to buy this book!
Click here to buy this book!	Steppin' on the Blues : The Visible Rhythms of African American Dance by Jacqui Malone  My other favorite book about the roots of lindy hop!  Traces African-American dance from Africa until today.  Great section on Lindy Hop and the Savoy Ballroom.  A must have.  Also includes great pictures.

 

 
 Recommended books on 1930's - 1940s Fashion:
 
 
 

Click here to buy this book!	A Century of Shoes : Icons of Style in the 20th Century  by Angela Pattison, Nigel Cawthorne  Great resource for vintage shoes!  Have you ever wondered what shoes to wear with that vintage outfit?  This book will answer your question!  Mostly women's shoes but does include some for men.  Spans the entire 20th century.
Everyday Fashions of the Thirties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs by Stella Blum (Editor)  The 30s?  I thought lindy hop was about the 1940s?  Wrong!  Take a look at what they wore before the war!  This series is a great one to have because it focuses on what the normal, everyday people wore.  A must have for any vintage clothing collector or novice!  Includes fashion on men, women & children.	Click here to buy this book!
Click here to buy this book!	Everyday Fashions of the Forties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs by Joanne Olian (Editor)  Another one of my favorite books!  This series is a great one to have because it focuses on what the normal, everyday people wore.  A must have for any vintage clothing collector or novice!  Great outfit ideas.  Includes fashion on men, women & children!
Fabulous Fabrics of the 50s (And Other Terrific Textiles of the 20S, 30S, and 40S) by Gideon Bosker, Michele Mancini, John Gramstad, Jon Gramstaf, Michelle Mancini  I know, I know...This isn't about fashion.  Or is it?  One of the reasons I love this era is because the fabric itself could make the outfit, couch, curtains or whatever!  See for yourself!	Click here to buy this book!

 

 
 Recommended "Original Artists" Swing/Jump Blues CDs:
 
 
 

Title/Artist	Review
Risque Rhythms - Various Artists   Buy this CD now!	18 Classic Jump Blues tracks including:  Big Ten Inch Record, Walkin' Blues (Walk Right In, Walk Right Out), Butcher Pete (part 1), It Ain't The Meat, Sixty Minute Man and more!  Great for dancing!
Legends Of Jump Blues (Series), Various Artistsl   Buy this CD now!	26 Classic Jump Blues tracks including hits by Joe Liggins, Roy Milton, Jimmy Liggins.  You've got to love jump blues!
Jumpin' Like Mad: Cool Cats & Hip Chicks - Various Artists    Buy this CD now!	2 CD set including 56 songs!  This has to be my favorite compliation.  All songs are great for dancing!
Wicked Swing    Buy this CD now!	Classic swing by Ellington, Calloway, Goodman, Shaw and more.  There's none of that sweet swing here.  Just jumpin tunes!
The Fabulous Swing Collection - Various Artists    Buy this CD now!	Swing compliation with great artists such as Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Barnet, Fletcher Henderson and more!
Swing Sation Series       Buy this CD now!  Jimmie Lunceford	If you haven't heard of Jimmie Lunceford, then you don't know what your missing.  One of the greats!  This is a great CD that combines all his classics in one place.
Capitol Collectors Series      Buy this CD now!  Louis Prima	The man who wrote Sing, Sing, Sing and Jump, Jive & Wail.  A must have for all swing fans and dancers.
The Best Of Louis Jordan   Buy this CD now!	Of course it's the best of Louis Jordan.  Everything he wrote was fantastic.

 
 

Recommended "Neo"-Swing/Jump Blues CDs:
 
 

Calling All Jitterbugs! Buy this CD now!  The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra	I love BESO.  This is one of the best swing CDs out there.  Very danceable.
All Aboard!    Buy this CD now!  Indigo Swing	The second release by this San Francisco based band.  Great boogie woogie sound.
One Hour Mama    Buy this CD now!  Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers	One of my favorite swing CDs.  Tight band, great singer.
Hollywood Jump    Buy this CD now!  Eddie Reed Big Band	Great band from Los Angeles!  Every song will get you jumpin!
Come Out Swingin'      Buy this CD now!  Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums	Another San Francisco band.  Definitely one of the best releases of 1998.
Wheels Start Turning     Buy this CD now!  The Blues Jumpers	I was lucky enough to see them live in San Francisco (although they're from New York).  Great CD, great band.

 

Films with Lindy Hopping!
 
 
 

A Day at the Races (1937)   Buy this film now!	Marx Brothers film with a great dance scene.  Whitey's Lindy Hoppers!
Buck Privates (1941)    Buy this film now!	Abbott & Costello film  -  Dean Collins and Jewel McGowan dance to an Andrews Sisters song!  Great movie!
Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942)   Buy this film now!	Abbott & Costello again.  Do they love dancing or what?  Dance scene features Dean Collins.
Swing Kids (1992)    Buy this film now!	Choreographed by Ryan Francois.  Does it need any other explanation?
Malcolm X (1992)   Buy this film now!	The dance scene is only about 3 minutes long but definitely worth having.  Great movie as well!

Read anything good lately while listening to your favorite CD?  Let us know and we'll add it!

And now...A word from our sponsor!
 

Amazon.com is pleased to have the San Diego Lindy Hop Society in the family of Amazon.com associates.  We've agreed to ship products and provide customer service for orders we receive through special links on the San Diego Lindy Hop Society webpage.

Amazon.com associates list selected books and music in an editorial context that helps you make the right choice.  We
encourage you to visit the San Diego Lindy Hop Society webpage often to see what new items they've selected for you.

Thank you for shopping with an Amazon.com associate.

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Jeff Bezos
President
Amazon.com

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