Read! Think! 

“… But now I think of who’s left and how we should be treating them. And I don’t mean posting selfies with them to prove that you knew them once. I mean real stuff befitting of their legend and the gifts that everyone enjoys based on their inspiration and hard work. First that comes to mind is Chazz Young, Frankie’s son. How is the community looking after this man? Or do we only wake up after we’ve read the obituaries? I know there are others. Sonny Allen, Charlie Meade, Sugar Sullivan etc. Our scene thinks it gives, but it really doesn’t. It profits and takes selfies, wearing a veil of respect for the dance and dancers while it continues to change all aspects of the dance away from its essence and its culture. Frankie held me to a promise years ago, he said. “Ryan, I know you want to change the dance do new things, make things different but promise me this. No matter how much you change things, keep the essence, the core of the dance the same”. I’ve kept my promise all these years and will continue to do so. Even if only a handful of people follow me down that road. That is not a duty to me, it’s a reason for living. So really what I should have wrote is Goodbye Norma, thanks for all the wonderful memories. Save me a seat on the bus for the day I too can help to make the heavens swing! I’m not done yet, it’s just the world lost almost all of it’s brightest stars and I’m a little lost as to where to go and what to do now…” (Ryan Francois)

(Ryan & Sing Lim: 3:19 and end)

Nächste Woche Dienstag (14.05.) , gleiche Zeit, gleicher Ort.

 

Norma passed away last night.

It is with deep regret to announce that the Legendary Norma Miller, known as the Queen of Swing, passed away at 7.31am this morning, 5th May at her home in Fort Myers, Florida, USA.

Her last 24 hours, was really happy spent with family, friends Chazz Young, his daughter and close friends from the UK and Italy, sharing fond memories, swing dancing, singing and doing the Shim Sham.

She was slippping away surrounded by a family member and friends, at her bedside, listening to Stardust, then took her last breath as Jumpin at the Woodside commenced.

Norma Miller, will be missed by dancers and jazz musicians around the globe, but will be remembered by her legacy of being one of the most hard working women, with a positive attitude and outstanding human qualities.

NY TIMES