In 2020, we worked with Young Music Makers on Feel That Rhythm I – a jazz dance and music project commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, which culminated in a streamed live performance.
A year later, from November through to December 2021, we worked with Young Music Makers again, to further develop and explore the history and context of local blue plaques, and the theme of jazz and its connections to dance.
Our project in 2020 enabled young people to understand heritage within the wider context of WWII and community, and this year, we wanted to delve deeper into the world of jazz and dance.
Taking inspiration from the same time period, as well as from local blue plaques commemorating Jazz musicians, dancers and singers, we reunited with Young Music Makers and Swing Sister Swing to create and perform a live dance and music piece.
Featuring an original composition written by Anna Conroy, the Shim Sham Swing was performed by the Young Music Makers. Tweaking and editing minor sections, the Big Band were able to better interact with, and understand the music.
Exploring the connection of jazz and dance, the Young Music Makers also learned about the rhythms and structures of dances like the Lindy Hop, and how they intersected with the music they were performing.
The Lindy Hop is a 1928 American dance which originated from the African-American communities around Harlem, New York City. Ever-evolving, the dance was at its height of popularity during the late 1930s and early 1940s, known as the ‘swing’ era.
The Lindy Hop is primarily thought of as a jazz dance, but is really a fusion of lots of different sorts of dances, including tap, breakaway and Charleston.
Nancy Hitzig, Cat Foley and Annette Walker (of Swing Sister Swing) also taught a separate group of dancers the history and context of some of their moves, and how important it is to recognise the fundamental rhythms of the piece to help inform improvisation.
Improvising dance on the spot can be scary – but it’s much easier when you know how to interpret the rhythms and shapes of the music!
Excitingly, our dancers and musicians performed together for the first time… on stage!
In early December, after 5 weeks of rehearsals, we performed the Shim Sham Swing dance and music live in front of an audience. It was so great to see (and hear!) it all come together, and was a fantastic way to end the project.
Watch the video below to see how we did…
Young Music Makers is a Saturday music centre for the whole family that believes in inclusive access to music education for all. In operation since 1967, the school boasts 39 different ensembles and has a strong focus on performance.