Snapping to the beat in his head, a wide toothy grin lit up Lindy Hopper Frank Manning's face as he spoke about improvisation in jazz music.
"Each time they [musicians] play, they get a different feeling, so it sounds different," Manning said. "It's the same way with dance."
Manning reflected on his career as an original Lindy Hopper at his book signing on Friday at Changing Hands Bookstore, located at McClintock Drive and Guadalupe Road.
Manning, 93, is known as an ambassador of swing. He has specialized in the Lindy Hop since 1930 and spent his career performing on stages with jazz sensations Ella Fitzgerald, Count Baise and Cab Calloway. Manning also appeared in several films, including "Hellzapoppin'" in 1941.
In a clip from "Hellzapoppin,'" played at the book signing, Manning and his partner, Ann Johnson, are captured doing the Lindy Hop. At one point in the dance, Manning bends over with his rear in the air then Johnson comes from behind and kicks him.
"It looks like I'm jumping, but she's propelling me," said Manning.
When the two rehearsed the kick, Johnson was tentative about kicking Manning too hard.
"She said, 'I don't want to hurt you,'" Manning said. "I said, 'Don't worry, it's only one take.'"
More recently, Manning taught Denzel Washington and Spike Lee how to Lindy Hop during the filming of "Malcolm X" in 1992.
Reach the reporter at: theresa.bloom@asu.edu.
