The Savoy Ballroom served as the home base for such jazz greats as William “Chick” Webb, Lucius Venable “Lucky” Millinder, and David “Panama” Francis, and launched the careers of John Birk “Dizzy” Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Thelonious Monk. During its lifetime, the Savoy Ballroom significantly affected the concurrent development of jazz music and jazz dance, and laid important groundwork for racial integration.
ABSTRACT From 1926 to 1958, the Savoy Ballroom in New York’s Harlem neighborhood played a critical role in the development and showcasing of African-American popular culture. ALEXANDRE ABDOULAEV Boston University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 2014 Major Professor: Andrew Shenton, Associate Professor of Music, Musicology, and Ethnomusicology. SAVOY: REASSESSING THE ROLE OF THE “WORLD’S FINEST BALLROOM” IN MUSIC AND CULTURE, 1926-1958. Lastly, I would like to extend my thanks to all Lindy Hoppers and jazz dancers, whether living or not, who influenced the completion of this work. White III, Nina Gilkenson, Sharon Davis, and Juan Ignacio Villafañe for their support and assistance with my research, as well as their willingness to donate their time for interviews. I would also like to express my gratitude to Margaret Batiuchok, Sonny Allen, Robert E. Judy Pritchett, who took the time to speak to me at length and advise me about some very important cultural and historical points regarding the history of the Savoy Ballroom. Jeremy Yudkin for his patience, encouragement, and assistance. Additionally, I would also like to extend my sincere and profound gratitude to Dr. Andrew Shenton, Victor Coelho, and Lewis Porter are, naturally, first to be thanked for their contribution. Duke EllingtonĪCKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge the assistance of several people, without whom this work would never see the light of day. It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.
Associate Professor of Music Boston University © 2014 ALEXANDRE ABDOULAEV All rights reserved Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2014 SAVOY: REASSESSING THE ROLE OF THE “WORLD’S FINEST BALLROOM” IN MUSIC AND CULTURE, 1926-1958.ĪLEXANDRE ABDOULAEV B.Mus., Catholic University of America, 2003 M.A., Catholic University of America, 2006 BOSTON UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
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