Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop
by Frankie Manning and Cynthia R. Millman
The autobiography of a legendary swing dancer! (Temple University Press, 2007)
“A poet of the dance floor. This book is a must read for anyone who loves the dance, amateur or professional. What a life he has lived, and thank God he remembers it all!”—Bette Midler, student and fan
“On behalf of all of the Hoofer’s, we thank you and salute you for every moment of truth, love and dedication translated to us all through your art form, your dance. Thank you Frankie Manning. I Love You!”—Savion Glover
SUMMARY
Renowned dancer Frankie Manning presents his riveting life story and most treasured memories in Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop. This autobiography details the artist’s childhood; dancing at the fabulous Savoy Ballroom; performing with Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers on Swing Era stages and screens; seeing active duty during World War II; running his own post-war troupe, The Congaroos; and being rediscovered by a new generation of dancers after working in the post office for thirty years! While making a dramatic and heartwarming comeback, Frankie went on to win a Tony Award for his choreography in Broadway’s hit Black and Blue, and helped lead the international swing dance revival by teaching, choreographing, performing, and sharing reminiscenses with adoring dancers around the world.
Co-written with swing dancer and librarian Cynthia R. Millman, this fascinating and beautifully illustrated book has been translated into French, Japanese, and Italian. An important part of his rich legacy, we invite you to enjoy Frankie’s inspiring history, both professional and personal, as told directly by him to you.
REVIEWS
“And now we have Frankie Manning—master of the oral, written, and dance forms of storytelling. . . . Sit down with the book and you will feel you’ve sat down with Frankie Manning in person to hear the wonderful story of his life.”—SwingDancer.com
“Dance writer and swing dancer Millman conducted extensive interviews with Manning for a vivid account of his career. . . . the first-person accounts of Manning’s life capture his vibrancy, humor and charm . . . this vivid memoir by one of swing dancing’s innovators and stars is a must for lovers of dance, jazz and African-American history.”—Publishers Weekly
“Aside from having biblical stature in the Lindy Hop community, it’s extremely entertaining to the dancer and non-dancer alike. My only complaint is that it was so good I never wanted it to end!”—Daniel Conner, Amazon.com customer review
“I couldn’t stop smiling while reading it.”—M. Thompson, Amazon.com customer review
CONTENTS
Foreword: Mercedes Ellington
Frankie Manning: An Appreciation by Cynthia R. Millman
Acknowledgments
Prologue: Too Stiff
PART ONE: FIRST STEPS (1914-circa 1933)
Chapter 1. Jazz Baby
Chapter 2. Early Ballroom Forays
PART TWO: SAVOY DANCER (circa 1933-1936)
Chapter 3. To the Savoy at Last
Chapter 4. Whitey, Shorty, and Stretch
Chapter 5. Win Win
Chapter 6. Up in the Air She Goes
PART THREE: WHITEY’S LINDY HOPPERS (1936-1943)
Chapter 7. Going Pro
Chapter 8. Big Time at the Cotton Club
Chapter 9. A Big Apple for Whitey
Chapter 10. On Broadway and In the Movies
Chapter 11. Down Rio Way
PART FOUR: WAR AND HOME (1943-1984)
Chapter 12. Dancer Interrupted
Chapter 13. The Congaroo Dancers and a Day Job
PART FIVE: SECOND ACT (1984-2007)
Chapter 14. Revival
APPENDIXES
A. Frankie Manning Timeline
B. Biographical Sketches of Lindy Hoppers
C. Swing Dance Resources
Libraries and Archives
Websites
Frankie’s List of Swing Dance on Film/TV
Swing Dancing Around the World
NOTES
SOURCES
TO ORDER FRANKIE MANNING: AMBASSADOR OF LINDY HOP
TO SELL THE BOOK AT YOUR EVENT
Contact Ann-Marie Anderson, Director of Marketing at Temple University Press: Anderson@Temple.edu.
