From Harlem to the world
A journey through the history of the dance that changed everything.
The origins: Harlem and jazz
Swing was born in the African American communities of Harlem in the 1920s. The Savoy Ballroom, opened in 1926, was the cathedral of swing, where Lindy Hop emerged as a universal language.
The golden age
The 1930s were the peak of swing. The big bands of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Benny Goodman filled the dance halls.
Swing reaches Europe
During World War II, American soldiers brought swing and jazz to Europe. Swing became a symbol of freedom.
The eclipse and survival
Rock and roll displaced swing from dance floors. Small communities around the world kept the flame alive, especially in Sweden.
The worldwide revival
In the 1990s a global renaissance began. Frankie Manning, already in his eighties, travelled the world teaching Lindy Hop. Today the swing community is international and more active than ever.
Tandem Club: swing in Mallorca since 2014
We are part of this history. Since 2014 we have brought swing to Palma de Mallorca.