Tranky Doo - Harlem Hot Shots

This dance is called Tranky doo and the name, as Frankie Manning tells the story, was inspired from a Chicago dancer called Tranky Doo. She often used combinations of fall-of-the-logs. Frankie claims to be the one that first created it and used it for encores in shows with his group called Congaroos and at the Savoy Ballroom. Frankie also called the second part of Big Apple "the Tranky Doo part". Some of the steps are the same in these two.

The story says this version should be influenced by Pepsi Bethel. Exactly what parts he contributed with, we don't know. This version, the one we do, is the same version as you can see performed in Spirit Moves and numerous films featuring Al Minns & Leon James. Pepsi is the dancer that perform this routine with Al and Leon in Spirit Moves. The first chorus is just as Frankies first chorus and from there it takes of. Pepsi had a different career compared to Al and Leon and ads a bit of nice flavor to this clip(Spirit Moves Mura Denh). Frankie also had a newer version of the Tranky Doo that he did later on. Learn that one too.

Make sure you also check out Thomas "TOPS" Lee and Wilda "WILDER" Crawford's beautiful version in the short film - Love In Syncopation 1946. Same first chorus and then a bit different. Their passion, personal expression and style really shows in each rhythm they dance. Simply wonderful!

Dancers in this video: Fatima Teffahi, Sakarias Larsson, Rikard Ekstrand

Breaks as well as variations of steps performed in this video have our personal style but are also highly inspired by our favorite dancers. We learned through classes, videos, as well as tradition, but we perform these steps in our personal ways. We learned from studying the true masters and we want you to do the same. We are happy you found this video but use the treasure of films from the 1920s and forward! The original dancers in this tradition lived jazz dancing every single day. And their contribution to dance history means the world to us and all contemporary stands on the shoulders and work made during the jazz era and forward.

Music: Rytm Och Swing
Sam Samsons Orkester Och Folke Erbo
(We do not own the rights to this music. We share this video with an intention to share jazz dance history.)
WHEN RHYTHM MOVES US
A film project made out of inspiration - For us to remember, create, and to hopefully inspire.

BACKGROUND
Through film, many generations of dancers, their expressions, styles, and routines are remembered and kept alive. Our studies and this project is our contribution to this tradition. Many steps and all the routines in this film project were created during the1930s-1950s. These dances are all part of the Black American Jazz and Swing dance tradition.

PARTS
Improvisation and choreography makes the different chapters in this film. Choreographies are filmed not only for sharing our favorite routines, but also to share an idea about expressions, style and rhythm based dancing. By sharing we hope to inspire others to follow their own unique voice, style and passion.

AESTHETICS
This project is a collaboration between Harlem Hot Shots - Stockholm, Karl Torstensson (Director), Hanna Kriisa (Director of Photography). Aesthetics was formed through a mash up inspired by simplicity, old school light design and todays modern film techniques. Modern high quality cameras was used with 1960s lenses to create highest quality fotage with softer contrast and definition. Room and lights are inspired by Spirit Moves by Mura Dehn (1940s). No distractions, only pure dancing.
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DANCERS:
The Harlem Hot Shots is a group of dancers profoundly inspired by the greats of the jazz era. Representing styles that originally derived out of Harlem during the prime time of swing. Rhythm, improvisation, personal expressions - freedom.

This film is a part of a collection of traditional swing dance choreographies we filmed for the help of spreading knowledge on the origins and original styles in swing and jazz dancing. Filmed in an environment with no distractions. The idea is to give a clear picture of the original rhythms and movements uniquely interpreted by each individual dancer.

By making this film we also want to thank all dancers that contributed to these dance styles and choreographies. For originating these styles and steps. For choreographing them and sharing your passion with the world. Dancers such as Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Esther Washington, Chazz Young, Sugar Sullivan, Albert Minns, Leon James, The Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the hole cast of The Spirit Moves, Mama Lou Parks and her dancers, Mabel Lee, Dawn Hampton with your endless joy and many many many more.
E-mail: info@harlemhotshots.com

Web: www.facebook.com/harlemhotshots

Видео Tranky Doo - Harlem Hot Shots канала Harlemhotshots