Swinging and dancing at Salmagundi Club NYC. A Night of live traditional jazz and lindy hop in the heart of Greenwich Village
Cait Jones, singer of ‘The Critters’
This February 17, starting at 6:30 pm at the Salmagundi Club NYC in Greenwich Village, NY, it will feel like taking a time machine for a night and be transported to the roaring ‘20s and the Great Gatsby era. In the magical atmosphere of the sumptuous halls of the historic brownstone at 47 Fifth Avenue, the band ‘Cait and the the Critters’ will be playing two sets following a dance lesson taught by Seth Harris.
‘Cait and the Critters’ blends western swing, folk, and blues with the classic American songbook, and it is an ensemble very well known and appreciated in the vibrant and still very much present swing scene of New York.
Seth Harris, who is an artist member at Salmagundi and will teach some lindy hop steps and moves, is also an organizer and choreographer for the award winning Mermaid Parade swing dance performance group "The Findyhoppers".
Traditional jazz has been a staple in the cultural fabric of New York City for over a century. From the speakeasies of the Prohibition era to the smoky jazz clubs of the 1960s, traditional jazz has been an essential part of the city's music scene. The music's roots can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when African American musicians in New Orleans blended European harmony with African rhythms to create a new sound that would come to be known as jazz.
One of the most iconic forms of traditional jazz is the lindy hop dance style, which originated in Harlem in the 1920s and 30s.
All swing dance styles are jazz dances, and ‘swing’ referred to the style of Jazz music called Swing music. Lindy Hop is one of the four swing dances (Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and Charleston).
Three Double Portraits by Seth Harris
Lindy Hop is an African American dance which originates from Harlem, New York City. It was danced first in the famous Savoy Ballroom by African American dancers in 1928 and was danced throughout the 1930s and 1940s. It is said the name Lindy Hop was inspired by aviator Charles Lindbergh who ‘hopped’ the Atlantic ocean in 1927.
Lindy hop is a partner dance characterized by its upbeat rhythms and fast-paced footwork. It is a fusion of several dance styles, including Charleston, tap dance, and swing. The dance became popular in the ballroom scene and quickly spread to other cities across the country, but it remains most closely associated with New York City and the jazz music that inspired it.
The style is a highly energetic dance that requires quick reflexes, sharp musicality, and a sense of fun and playfulness. Couples dance together, often improvising and adding their own personal flair to the moves. The dance is often performed to swing music, which in itself is characterized by its strong beat and upbeat tempo.
Today, traditional jazz and the lindy hop dance style remain popular in New York City, with many venues and dance schools offering classes and events for those who want to learn or simply enjoy the music and dance. In addition, the city is home to a vibrant community of musicians, dancers, and fans who continue to keep the traditions of jazz and lindy hop alive. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the scene, there's no better place to experience the energy and excitement of traditional jazz and lindy hop than in the heart of New York City.
Article by Joseph Ralph Fraia
Photos courtesy of Seth Harris
Artworks by Seth Harris
Cait Jones, singer of ‘The Critters’
Lindy Hop in the Library by Seth Harris
The Lindy Hop Party by Seth Harris