Queen of Swing: Harlem, Savoy, Basie

Types | Reports | Grants | Legacy Amendment Digitization (2016-2017) |
Listen: Queen of Swing: Harlem, Savoy, Basie
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The Swing craze has brought a second wave of fame to musicians and dancers from the earlier era. This week, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis has gathered some of the legendary dancers for a week of worshops, culminating in a discussion and performance this weekend. One of the stars is Norma Miller. Known as "The Queen of Swing" Miller began her career in Harlem at age 14. She and her dance partner Frankie Manning spent decades touring the U-S and Europe with all the great big bands of the 1930's, forties and fifties. In her second career, she turned to stand-up comedy. By the early 80's, Miller returned to Harlem and was dismayed to find the Savoy, the dance hall where it all began, torn down.

Funders

In 2008, Minnesota's voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution: to protect drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve arts and cultural heritage; to support parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater.

Efforts to digitize this initial assortment of thousands of historical audio material was made possible through the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. A wide range of Minnesota subject matter is represented within this collection.

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