Swing time in Mallorca

Not completely satisfied with two weeks of local rumbustification, heralding joyous, often noisy, yet always enthusiastic entertainment, a series of 5 concerts organised by the Town Council of Mancor de la Vall, has been overlapping the fun-filled fiestas by providing a continued cycle of musical entertainment. And last Sunday, July 2nd saw an incredible, mind-blowing al fresco performance in Plaça de l’Església, featuring a Night of Swing - starring the super talented ‘Hi Hats Old Jazz Band’ and the ‘Random Hoppers’, an innovative dance troupe, made up of professional dance teachers who complemented the foot tapping swing vibe of the band with energetic demonstrations of the Lindy Hop dance style, a current trend which has recently been sweeping the island.

It used to be all about ‘Salsa’, but the island hop is getting everyone up on their feet. And having sat through this amazing visual performance I can easily see why. The ‘Hi Hats’ are an extremely accomplished six piece jazz band whose smooth, casual sound transported the audience effortlessly back to a golden age when swing and jazz first made its breakthrough in the early thirties, raising eyebrows along with hemlines, as a ‘shocking’, contemporary and innovative music/dance form.

Lindy Hop originated from lively African American culture in Harlem, New York City, and was first danced in the famous Savoy Ballroom to mixed social reviews; yet went on to slay those anal critics who were choking on their unwavering morals of decency, to become one of the most energetic, joyous dance forms in existence. Not only a dance form, the Lindy Hop broke barriers at a time when segregation was rife in American society. But the Savoy Ballroom was open to anyone of any culture. Nobody cared what colour you were, they were all looking at your feet!

It is said that the name Lindy Hop was inspired by the aviator Charles Lindbergh who ‘hopped’ the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. But whatever the origins, it’s a compelling dance form that quickly broke even more social barriers, and it’s easy to see why.

Against the background brilliance of those six, ultra talented musicians who performed old jazz classics that had me swooning in the aisles, the dancers ‘Lindy Hopped’ their hearts out, and made me wish I was ten years younger with articulated knees and a trick pelvis. From personal favourites like ‘Satin Doll’ to ‘Take the A Train’, the hour and a half flew past leaving everyone yearning for more. And not only was the whole concert extremely entertaining, it touched magic buttons that took you to a different, forgotten place. A bygone era thankfully, heavily in revival. And it made such a nice, refreshing change to listen comfortably to talented musicians, enjoying their passionate craft, instead of the usual raw, ear-splitting, crash, bang, drum bashing, cymbal whacking, guitar screaming, tuneless screeching of the rock band brigade who usually tend to dominate most fiestas. I’m a huge fan of all music, yet after this recent ‘Hi Hat’ concert, I know where I’d rather hang my own hat! Keep an eye out for the band, they could be island hopping somewhere near you!