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Showing posts with the label Queen of Swing

With Gratitude for Norma Miller: A Giving Spirit NEVER to be forgotten

This past Sunday on CBS (CBS Sunday Morning Show) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hail-and-farewell-to-those-we-lost-in-2019/   they mentioned our dear friend and supporter. Yes they again honorably mentioned Norma Miller as one of our beloved ones that we - and the whole world - lost this last year. As 2020 is about to begin we share some thoughts about the fantastic Queen of Swing.  Seeing her relaxed and chilling, shooting the breeze in her home surroundings.... talking excitedly and lovingly about her new home of Italy and her friends there.... creating and writing new songs... new projects and ideas... looking forward to more and more... Norma with some of her Harlem show-biz friends, representing the Cotton Club, Tap, Lindy Hop and more... Norma performing in Italy during 2019 However of the times we were visiting Norma in her personal sanctuary, one of the most precious and memorable was with Sugar Sullivan.   Both...

The Kennedy Center Honors: Why Nominate Norma? Lets see...

Few are privileged to be alive today to tell first hand of the Harlem Renaissance era of the 1920’s… and that they were notably able to impact Jazz Dance History in Harlem for over 80 years… But then there is Norma Miller: Dancer, Author, Choreographer, Comedienne and Actress whose career spans over eight decades! A foremost proponent of the “Lindy Hop;” she is rightfully known as the “Queen of Swing”. Her vitality, humor, generosity, humanitarian efforts and indomitable spirit make her – at 97 years young – a true American Treasure. At five years old in 1924 Norma knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life: Dance. It was the Jazz Age, the Harlem Renaissance - and little Norma lived behind Harlem's famed Savoy Ballroom, nicknamed the "Home of Happy Feet". At 14 she won a Lindy Hop contest at the Apollo theater… and before long the feisty Norma would rise to fame as one of the first performers of the Lindy Hop as an original member of Whitey'...