ARTISTS

The Shirt Tail Stompers have over the years been recognised as one of Europe's best social dance bands. Formed in 2010 for the London Lindy Exchange and led by Trumpeter Steve Coombe, they have played numerous dance camps and shows all over the world. With their passion for swing music and movement, extensive knowledge and experience of social dancing, they are definitely the band to dance to in 2018. Truly appreciating the art of swing and knowing its place in history, they are heavily influenced by Fats Waller, Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie and many other greats from the swing and trad jazz era of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. They are also influenced by the likes of the early Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet and the old musical roots of New Orleans.

Jazz Dreamers is a Wroclaw-based band formed in 2019 and led by trombonist Maciej Walczynski who puts his energy, passion and talent at the service of swing music. They draws all the best from the great big bands of Count Basie or Duke Ellington. The musicians play original arrangements of swing music hits, for which the leader was awarded a special prize at the international Old Jazz Meeting festival in picturesque Ilawa. Close day-to-day cooperation with the Lindy Szau of Wroclaw allows for the constant development of the band focused on playing for dancers.

The Siberian Hotheads is a Stockholm-based sextet playing a unique mix of jazz styles best captured by the late 1940’s. Originating from an area of Stockholm colloquially known as ‘Siberia’, the band has since 2021 developed their own characteristic sound and style and established themselves as one of the hottest bands on the Swedish swing dance scene. Inspired by jazz giants such as Roy Eldridge, Illinois Jacquet, Duke Ellington, and Machito, a dash of traditional jazz is seamlessly mixed with swing arrangements, early bop, and latin american influences into a truly original concoction which is delivered with a vibrancy and authenticity that has become a trademark of the Siberian Hotheads.

Teaching Lindy Hop since 2017, Alex brings energy and passion to every class. As co-founder of Old Soulz and an avid jazz student, he blends classic moves, variations, aerials, and personal style development. Deeply involved in Brussels’ swing scene, he’s always dancing, DJing, and performing with infectious enthusiasm.

With a background in ballet, modern dance, and theatre, Luisa discovered Lindy Hop and moved from Italy to Brussels to join Jazz Maniacs and pursue a Performing Arts master’s degree. Passionate about jazz history and teaching, she helps dancers grow artistically while constantly evolving her own craft.

Joseph & Charlotte are two of the UK’s leading international dancers and instructors of African American swing dances such as the Lindy Hop, Charleston, Jive, Jazz and other vintage dance styles. With around 30 years experience, learning from and working with many of the original 1930s – 50’s savoy ballroom dancers such as Norma Miller, Frankie Manning, Barbara Billups, Sugar Sullivan and other professionals, they’ve trained teachers, toured in over 40 cities a year across the USA, Africa, Asia & Europe. They’ve, performed at The Royal Albert Hall, Grand Palais, for FIFA, Ford Motors etc, choreographer and vintage dance advisors for TV, Radio, Theatre, Music Videos such as Yolanda Be Cool, BBC Wartime Farm, Netflix movie The Six Triple Eight (6888).

Miro has been involved with the Lindy Hop and the Jazz dances for more than 10 years. He values the rawness and the fluidity in the dance, being present in the moment, the self expression - all paired up with the strong rhythmical foundation of the Jazz music and the Harlem roots of the art form. He takes his inspiration from the old clips and all current artists, who dare to bring out their own personal style, freedom of expression, movement and rhythms.
Soon after Kalina got involved in Tap dancing, she also started with Lindy Hop and Jazz. This was 8 years ago. She gets inspired by the old clips and all the jazz music brings. In their weekly classes together with Miro, she pays special attention to each and every student and makes sure they develop their own individuality while staying true to the roots of the dance.