Jazz Biography Frankie Manning Frankie Manning was born at Jacksonville, Florida in 1914. At a young age he moved to Harlem along with his mother who was also a dancer. Frankie Manning began dancing at a young age and when he was in his early teens he danced at a Sunday afternoon dance at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem to the music of Vernon Andrade. Later he danced at the Rennaissance Ballroom that played swing dance by the Claude Hopkins Orchestra. As Manning became a little older he danced at the prestigious Savoy Ballroom and there he became a star in the “Kat’s Korner” and won many dance contests.
Soon after he was invited to be in the elite 400 club. Manning’s inspiration came from the first generation of the Lindy Hoppers. Frankie Manning was a part of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers, one of the best competing teams in the Big Band era. In 1934, he became the main choreographer and created the first ensemble Lindy Hop routine and the aerial dance step (“air steps”).
In 1937, he performed along with Marx brothers in the film “A day at the Races.” That same year Manning gave a performance for King George VI in London. Manning joined the army during World War II and in 1947, after his return he formed a dance troupe called “The Conga roos Dancers” that went on to tour with jazz greats Cab Calloway, Count Basie, and Ella Fitzgerald. When rock and roll came in during the 1950 s, Frankie Manning settled down to family life and a career with the U. S. Postal service.
The Term Paper on Ballroom Dance
Sequence dancing is still a highly popular style of ballroom dance. The definition of ballroom dance also depends on the era. Many balls have featured popular dances of the day which are now considered to be historical dances. Ballroom dancing has many different dances, and each dance has its own steps. However, one thing remains the same throughout each style; each style is performed by a man and ...
In the 1980 s, renewal interests in swing dance brought Manning out again to choreography and teach. Today he continues to travel and teach dance just recently he received the National heritage fellowship award in 2000.
