It's Always Lindy in Philadelphia Artist Bios

Here at Jazz Attack, we've put together an artist lineup that we couldn't be more excited about. They're incredible dancers, DJs, and archivists, not to mention incredible people. Get excited -- it's going to be a great weekend. To learn more, visit the It's Always Lindy page.

PC:

AJ Howard

AJ Howard is a NYC based Lindy Hop instructor and performer with nearly a decade of experience. His upbeat and energetic teaching style creates a fun and supportive environment for students to learn and grow. In addition to teaching and social dancing, AJ loves to compete and has placed at local and international competitions. As a proud member of the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame, he is committed to sharing his joy of the dance with all, and helping dancers of all levels develop their skills on their own individual dance journeys.

PC: Jerry Almonte

Hannah Lane

Hannah Lane is a dancer, researcher, and historian from Baltimore, Maryland. Alongside her appreciation for jazz music, and dances like Lindy Hop, snake hips, and Charleston, Hannah is passionate about her research, which centers jazz and nightlife histories of African American communities in her home state, of Maryland, and throughout the U.S. She is also passionate about uplifting the stories of Shake Dancers through her project, Queens of the Nightclub.

Currently Hannah serves on the board of Collective Voices for Change and is a participant in the Al Minns Next Generation Project. You can learn more about her work via instagram at @hannahpilarrr and @Queensofthenightclub. Stay tuned for her upcoming Queens of the Nightclub Substack!

PC: Jerry Almonte

Hanna Yanello

Hanna has been teaching, performing, and competing in Lindy Hop for about 8 years and fosters a profound love and respect for the dance. With deep roots in her local community, she is enthusiastic about cherishing the integrity of the foundation of lindy hop and honoring the roots of the dance. In her classes, she is passionate about encouraging dancers at all levels of experience to become acquainted with their own creative expression through movement. As a teacher, Hana loves generating thoughtful engagement, and connects with her class attendees not ONLY as teacher but also as an active learner within jazz dance. Positive reinforcement in both the classroom and social dance floor setting is incredibly important to her. Both in teaching and in her personal training, she leans hard into excellence in movement choices and in cultivating personal creativity and connection.

PC: Jerry Almonte

Nii Attoh Okine

Joining us from Baltimore, we’re excited to welcome Nii Attoh Okine. At the suggestion of a friend, Nii discovered Lindy Hop at the University of Delaware in 2016. Known for always having his headphones on, he quickly fell in love with the sounds of big band swing. Now based in Baltimore, he DJs locally at Mobtown Ballroom and has also staff DJed at events both nationally and internationally. As a DJ, Nii’s goal is to create a night filled with a variety of moods and themes that dancers will regret stepping away from. While his favorite bandleader is currently Duke Ellington, he has recently been exploring the works of Earl Hines, Francis Panama, and Charlie Shavers.

PC:

Molly Meng

Molly Meng is a vernacular jazz dancer. Inspired by the empowerment and freedom found in jazz, she brings a unique blend of rhythm, groove, and flow to every dance.

Her early years of dancing took her across cities around the world, shaping both her movement style and her multi-faceted perspective on the dance. Now based in NYC, she performs with local artists and has had the privilege of training and performing at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.

Molly’s classes focus on texture, groove, body awareness, and finding creativity in movement. She believes that as artists, we train for the craft—and let the soul find its outlet. Whether you’re just stepping onto the floor or looking to deepen your groove, Molly is all about helping you discover the inner dialects that let your groove speak.

She holds multiple titles from prestigious events including Camp Jitterbug, Lindy Fest, Lindy Bout, the International Lindy Hop Championships, and Snowball.

When she’s not dancing or teaching, Molly can often be found researching groove in urban space. As an urban designer, she sees cities as living organisms of improvisation—just like jazz. If you ever catch her not dancing, ask her about it!

PC: Samantha Kunz

Aaron Jones

Aaron Jones began dancing Lindy Hop at his college’s swing dance club in 2009. Shortly thereafter, he began teaching, competing, and performing in local events around central Pennsylvania. In 2016, he became involved in the Lehigh Valley’s swing dance organization, currently known as Lehigh Valley Lindy. Today, Aaron continues to teach in the area, as well as learning and competing in national events. He loves encouraging his students to listen to the music, their partner, and their own bodies to make every dance special.

PC:

Samantha Pincus

I was introduced to Lindy Hop in 2015 taking classes at TCNJ, Princeton University and Jazz Attack in Philadelphia. I've placed in competitions around the mid-Atlantic and teach in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. I am a part of the performance groups: The Harvest Moon Hoppers, Groundwerk and The Hodge Podge. Lindy hop changed my life, and I do my best to bring forward the values dancing and jazz has taught me: community, respect, education, presence, improvisation and creative freedom. Working as a high school art teacher in real life, I love teaching and growing with all those around me.

Event Info

It's Always Lindy in Philadelphia is put together by Jazz Attack. The 2025 edition will take place from October 4-5 primarily at the Philadelphia Ethical Society. To learn more, visit the It's Always Lindy page.

Jazz Greats: Erskine Hawkins

Erskine Hawkins (1914-1993), nicknamed the “20th Century Gabriel” for his high-notes and elaborate solos, was a trumpeter and bandleader during the swing era of the 30’s and 40’s. Although lesser known than other bandleaders of the time, Hawkins led a formidable group of musicians who wrote and arranged several hits, including “Tuxedo Junction,” and performed as the Savoy Ballroom house band for several years. 

Erskine Hawkins (second from left) and His Orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom, late 1930s - early 1940s

Born on July 26, 1914 in Birmingham, Alabama, to Cary and Edward Hawkins, Erskine was one of five siblings. After his father died in World War I, the family moved across the street from a school called the Tuggle Institute, where Hawkins excelled at music and athletics. He first took up drums at age 7, then learned trombone a few years later, and began playing trumpet when he was 13. At Industrial High School, he studied with the influential music educator J. T. “Fess” Whatley. Many of his other students would go on to play in bands led by Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. 

At age 16, Hawkins attended Alabama State Teachers College, where he played with the school band, the ‘Bama State Collegians. He soon became the band’s leader and, in 1934, took them on a tour of the Northeast, including performances in New York City at the Savoy Ballroom. The band succeeded professionally and generated a loyal following during this tour, eventually splitting from the college and renaming themselves “the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra.” 

Promotional Photo of Erskine Hawkins after moving from Alabama to Harlem in 1934

From their recording debut in 1936 through 1953, the band performed frequently and scored three major hit songs, “Tuxedo Junction,” “After Hours,”  and “Tippin’ In.” At the heart of the band were its five core members: Erskine Hawkins and Dud Bascomb on trumpet, Paul Bascomb and Julian Dash on tenor sax, and Haywood Henry on baritone sax. A notable side-man in the orchestra was pianist Avery Parrish, who featured on the band’s 1940 recording of “After Hours.” 

During the late 30’s, the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra found steady work in Harlem, particularly at the Savoy Ballroom, where they alternated with the Chick Webb Orchestra to provide live music all night long. Eventually the Hawkins Orchestra took over as the house band, and occasionally participated in “battles of the bands” with the likes of Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, and Glenn Miller. The Hawkins Orchestra’s medium-fast tempos and hard swinging style made them consistent favorites with dancers for many years.  

Erskine Hawkins signed photograph -- NYPL Digital Collections

In 1953, as swing gave way in general popularity to rhythm & blues and bebop, Hawkins led a smaller jazz combo and recorded scarcely. He recorded a reunion album with members of his past orchestra in 1971, and was one of five inaugural inductees into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Hawkins passed away at the age of 79 on November 11, 1993 in Willingboro, New Jersey.

Erskine Hawkins (left) and his Orchestra

In 2024, Erskine Hawkins was the featured artist of the Lindy Focus Heritage Sounds Transcription Project, a yearly endeavor to revive the music of the original swing bandleaders. Through the work of musicians including Laura Windley, Jonathan Stout, and Michael Gamble, dancers got to enjoy three full sets of original Erskine Hawkins charts, performed by many of the world’s best living swing musicians. You can listen to the entire world premiere set from Lindy Focus here!

Come and enjoy Erskine Hawkins tribute night at Jazz Attack with DJ Gavin, or listen to some of his classic tunes on YouTube or your music streaming platform of choice.

To learn more about other notable jazz musicians, visit our blog. And don't forget to check out our History & Culture page for an informative background on Lindy Hop & Jazz history.

Sources:

https://syncopatedtimes.com/erskine-hawkins-profiles-in-jazz/

https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/erskine-hawkins/

https://www.alamhof.org/erskinehawkins

The Best Shoes for Lindy Hop & Swing Dance, with Hanna Yanello

It's Thursday and I feel like talking about my favorite dance shoes. While there are plenty of cheap options out there, the following guide is for dancers that are ready to take their next step into fancy footwork, slick slides, and more. Enjoy (or don't enjoy) this non-exhaustive list.

photo by @broadsizevisuals

My current favorite brands, made by dancers for dancers:

✨ Swivells , based out of France.

Swing Shoes (swivells.com)

Use discount code HANNASWIVELLS15 for 15% off your order!

"The Swivells adventure began in a small apartment in the heart of Paris's Batignolles district. This is where materials are studied, technical specifications drawn up and shoes designed. The rest takes place in Spain, in a small family workshop run by Maria and her three brothers. And because quality knows no boundaries our models are worn, and loved, in over 40 countries around the world!"

I own several pairs of Swivells boots currently and they are a go-to for a classy look. I love these for performance especially. Amelie is incredibly responsive and helpful and my experience with their team is that they go above and beyond to make sure quality shoes are received. It's been a joy dancing in Swivells for the last 5 years. They offer a variety of solid color options in their boots, have a sandal option, and recently have started offering a sneaker that looks pretty sweet. They wear in well and are comfortable from the moment you put them on, which isn't always the case with new shoes 😉

Fun facts: Swivells donates on a monthly basis to the Frankie Manning Association, is family run, offers leather & vegan shoes, and carries mens' & womens' shoe options.

✅Support: 8/10 designed w a soft insole but this wears down w excessive use

✅Toe Box: 7/10 the leather expands and molds to fit your foot in a very comfortable manner

✅Durability: 9/10 I have worn my most recent pair (gold vegan) 2-3 times a week typically for the last 2 years and they are only now nearing the point of being retired from the dance floor

✅Spin: 9/10 leather soles make for great movement; extremely slick on fast floors

✅ European/US Sizing: I am a Size 9 US. I wear size 40 European for this company. Note: I have noticed the sizing varies model to model just a bit. If ordering, don't be afraid to email Amelie and verify sizing before making your purchase.

🔥 Fuegos , based in the U.S.

https://fuegodance.com/

Use discount code HANYAN10 for 10% off your order!

Fuegos are an all-in-one dance sneaker engineered for dancing on any surface. They are one of the comfiest sneakers I've worn. Fuegos are the pair of shoes in my closet that I nearly always opt to wear due to their flexibility, comfortability, and wearability on and off the dance floor. They're easy to spot with the two low-traction circles on the sole. Get yourself a pair!

photo by @broadsizevisuals

✅Support: 8/10 designed without much built in support for high arches; will need an insole for high arches

✅Toe Box: 8/10 wide toe box, tapers a bit towards the toe but is flexible and flexes with use

✅Durability: 7/10

✅Spin: 10/10 moves well on pretty much every surface

✨ Saint Savoy , based out of Austria.

https://www.saintsavoy.com/en/

Beautiful leather shoes/heels with an incredible variety of styles. I own a pair of heels and they are one of the comfiest pairs of heels I wear (and if you know me, you know I prefer dancing in flats!). If you are in search of that perfect pair of either heels or a solid dressy dance shoe, this is the place for you. They're the yellow ones in the picture below. Have fun browsing!

photo by @broadsizevisuals

✅Support: 9/10 fantastic support for high arches

✅Toe Box: 10/10 comfortable immediately; leather molds to shape of foot

✅Durability: 7/10 *haven't had long yet nor do I use heels as often as I do my other shoes

✅Spin: 10/10

✅ European/US Sizing: I am a Size 9 US. I wear size 40 in heels with this company

These are the shoes I wear and imperfect ratings based off of my experience ❤ Feel free to share your favs below.

Other great brands out there to check out as well:

Remix https://remixvintageshoes.com/

Swingin Shoes https://swinginshoes.com/

Slide & Swing https://www.slideandswing.es/en/

Harlem Shoes https://harlemshoes.com/

Big thanks to Hanna for this guest article! You can check out some of her work at https://www.jazzcollectivelanc.com/ and follow her on Instagram @thrivingthroughjazz

If this blog has you ready to swing out, be sure to check out the rest of our site for upcoming Lindy Hop dances & swing dance events here in Philadelphia.