Stompology 2008

Stompology is one event that I’ve mentioned time and again as a great workshop.  Put on by Groove Juice Swing in Rochester, NY, it is in it’s third year.  Unlike many events focusing on the partnered aspect of jazz dance, whether that is Balboa, Lindy Hop, Charleston or so on, Stompology focuses exclusively on the solo dances of the jazz family.  Tap and soft shoe, charleston, black bottom and much more.

The line up this year included Andy Reid, Naomi Uyama, Jojo Jackson and Mike Faltesek with each of the teachers brings a unique array of style, skills and knowledge.

Friday I arrived off of the train in time for the late night.  Held at The Keg, a sports bar, it was a relatively nice change of pace for a late night.  There was a front room with the bar area and a second room which held the dance floor and impromptu stage for the musicians.  The floor was a faux wood with decent give and slip.  The feel of the venue was cozy yet not cramped.

Gordon Websters band started off with some easy swinging tunes until the “secret special guest” arrived, Wycliffe Gordon.  I have heard many exceptional musicians and bands but when Wycliffe started to blow on his trombone the energy in the room vaulted.  He laid out licks that made the hair on my neck stand up and gave me goose bumps.  It was truly a great start to the weekend.

Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2007 – The Middle pt. 2

To continue with Saturday, I will begin with a short review of two show performances that took place in the evening.

The first was a tap show in honor of the Nicholas Brothers put on by Sakarias Larsson and Mattias Lundmark, two of the spectacular Harlem Hot Shots from Sweden. It was quite the spectacle where they first traded spotlights and then had an ensemble section. Now that I’ve been working on tap for a short while it amazes me even more to know how hard it actually is.

The second show as a tribute to the Four Congaroos performed by Mike Faltesek with Casey Schnieder and Stefan Durham with Bethany Powell. It was in two parts, the first an ensemble piece and the second included spotlights. The music was so incredibly fast (like the original) that it was almost difficult to have time to appreciate each movement on its own. Exceptional work to the four of them, especially Bethany as I heard she had been relatively sick. Here are the two clips. The second one being my favorite. I believe the original dancers were Frankie Manning, Ann Johnson, Russel Williams and Willimae Ricker.