Chazz Young

Chazz Young
Young at Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap, Century Ballroom, Seattle, Washington, 14 August 2009
Born
Charles Young

(1932-11-08) November 8, 1932 (age 92)
United States
Occupation(s)Choreographer
Dancer
SpouseRheda
ParentFrankie Manning

Charles "Chazz" Young[1] (born November 8, 1932) is an American choreographer and teacher of tap dance.

Early life and education

Young was born to father Frankie Manning, a dancer during the swing era, and mother Dorothy Young.[2]

In 1943, at the age of 11, he saw his father, who was a member of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, perform for the first time.[2]

Young would practice dancing in the hallways during the lunch hour at school, while waiting for the train, and on the marble stoops.[3]

He learned tap dancing at the Mary Bruce School in Harlem, which is where he met his wife, Rheda.[3]

In 1956, he graduated from the New York School for the Performing Arts.[3]

Career

After graduating in 1956, Young and his wife joined Norma Miller and Her Jazzmen, formed by Norma Miller. Young was a member of the group for 14 years.[3][4]

Young temporarily stopped dancing professionally after rock and roll became popular and clubs stopped hiring him. From the late 1960s through 1994, Young worked in a post office.[3]

In 1992, Young was a dance assistant in Spike Lee's film Malcolm X.

Young has presented at Herräng Dance Camp[5] and has taught at GNSH - Goodnight Sweetheart in the UK (2006 - 2013) and in Malaysia.[6]

Documentary appearances

Year Documentary
2005 Swing Invasion
2010 Frankie Manning: Ambassador of the Lindy Hop
2016 Alive and Kicking

References

  1. ^ JOHNSON, CAROLL L. "1930s Dance Revival". Library of Congress.
  2. ^ a b Manning, Frankie; Millman, Cynthia (2007). Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. ISBN 978-1-59213-563-9.
  3. ^ a b c d e RIMER, SARA (September 2, 1987). "About New York; Echoes of Past Infuse Dancers With Rhapsody". The New York Times.
  4. ^ DOYLE, DOUG (May 6, 2019). "WBGO Remembers Legendary Lindy Hopper Norma Miller". WBGO.
  5. ^ "Herrang Dance Camp: Special Guests". Herrang Dance Camp.
  6. ^ Heng, Natalie (April 3, 2013). "Young at heart". The Star.
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