Chazz Young

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

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
Occupation(s)Choreographer
Dancer
SpouseRheda
ParentFrankie Manning

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 in Malaysia.[6]

Documentary appearances

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

References

  1. JOHNSON, CAROLL L. "1930s Dance Revival". Library of Congress.
  2. Manning, Frankie; Millman, Cynthia (2007). Frankie Manning: Ambassador of Lindy Hop. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. ISBN 978-1-59213-563-9.
  3. 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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