Whitey's Lindy Hoppers

Whitey's Lindy Hoppers was a professional performing group of exceptional swing dancers that was first organized in the late 1920s by Herbert "Whitey" White in the Savoy Ballroom and disbanded in 1942 after its male members were drafted into World War II. The group, taking on many different forms and sub-groups, including Whitey's Hopping Maniacs, Harlem Congeroo Dancers, and The Hot Chocolates, were inspired by the choreography of Frankie Manning. In addition to touring nationally and internationally, the group appeared in several films and Broadway theatre productions. Dorothy Dandridge and Sammy Davis Jr. were among the group's celebrity regulars.

History

Beginning in the late 1920s, White, a bouncer at the Savoy Ballroom and former dancing waiter, began organizing exceptional dancers, first under the aegis of George Snowden and then under White himself. Although many members felt mistreated by White, many admired his promotion of the dance. The group then went on a 7-month European tour. In 1936, the group began a tour of the U.S. with headliner Ethel Waters. While in California, they met the Marx Brothers, Allan Jones and Maureen O’Sullivan, and made their film debut in A Day at the Races (1937), a movie for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. They danced and sang in the number "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" which featured singer Ivie Anderson and other members of Duke Ellington’s orchestra. Dave Gould, the choreographer, was nominated for an Academy Award for the dance sequence. In 1938, for a second time, the group competed in the Harvest Moon Ball, hosted that year by Ed Sullivan. Sullivan invited members of the group to perform on Toast of the Town (later called The Ed Sullivan Show). ==Members==

Members

Al Minns, Leon James, Frankie Manning, and Norma Miller are the most notable members of the group — Minns and James in part for their role in the research of Jean and Marshall Stearns's influential book Jazz Dance, Minns for his work with the Hot Shots during the swing revival in the 1980s, Manning for his role in contributing to the swing revival after Minns died in 1985, and Miller for her presentations and instruction at Herräng Dance Camp up until her death in 2019. • Harry Rosenberg • Jimmy Valentine ==Filmography==

Filmography

• A Day at the Races, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1937 (with the Marx Brothers) • Manhattan Merry-Go-Round, Republic Pictures, 1937 • Radio City Revels, RKO Pictures, 1938 • Keep Punching, M.C. Pictures, 1939 • Sugar Hill Masquerade, Minoco Productions, 1942 Soundies • Killer Diller, All-American News, 1948 - 4 members of the group ==Broadway theatre==

Broadway theatre

• Hot Mikado (with Bill Robinson) • Black Rhythm (1936) • Cotton Club Revue (with Cab Calloway) (1938) ==References==

Source: Wikipedia ↗

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