First Annual Yehoodi Lindy Hop Achievement Awards

Count Basie established swing as one of jazz's predominant styles; his contribution to the music and the dance is immeasurable. Coincidentally, this year also marks the centennial of "Shorty George" Snowden, the man who lead the first generation of Lindy Hop dancers at the Savoy Ballroom, and who is often credited with giving Lindy Hop its name. Perhaps Basie's swing hit, "Shorty George", which honors Snowden's distinctive style of dance, is the best testimony to the kinship between his music and our dance.

In the year that marks the centennial of William (Count) Basie, his genius will be celebrated by reuniting his music with the dance it was once inseparable with. This evening celebrates a century's worth of Swing. Not just the music and the dance that we have inherited, but those we inherited it from.

This evening is dedicated to thanking Jazz and Lindy Hop greats for giving us the gift of swing. While some may no longer be with us, many are still tirelessly passing along this heritage. Amongst them is Mr. Frankie Manning, who celebrated his 90th Birthday this year. His contribution to the creation and continuance of Lindy Hop is immeasurable.

There are also many who have contributed a tremendous amount of time and energy over the past years to continue and further this remarkable gift of music and dance that we have received. This evening is also a time to thank them for making it possible for all of us to enjoy this dance and music today.

An infant, in comparison, Yehoodi.com has dedicated its efforts to fostering the Lindy Hop community, online and offline. For our 6th Anniversary, we would like to give special recognition to two key figures in present day Lindy Hop - Mr. Steven Mitchell and Ms. Erin Stevens, to whom we owe much thanks to, for their contribution over the past 20 years.

Join us on October 9, 2004 as we honor the past, savor the present and keep it swinging!

This event is open to anyone who dances or who has been touched by this unique American art form. A series of group photos will be taken according to the year or era that people started dancing and at the end one large group photo will be taken of every one who is present at the event.

We will post information about when the photo is available as soon as we get it!

This event is produced by Yehoodi.com, Jelly Roll Productions and CU Swing with the support of the William J. Basie Trust.
Photo of Basie © 1979 William P. Gottlieb from the Music Division of the Library of Congress