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Savoy Jazz Jam 2025!Solo Jazz Weekend
Beechen Grove Baptist Church, Clarendon Rd, WD17 1JJ
31st Oct-2nd November 2025
WORKSHOP SPACES LEFT: BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!
Welcome to our 8th Savoy Jazz Jam, the ultimate History led Solo Jazz Weekend, right here in Hertfordshire, UK.
ABOUT:
This cosy weekend will explore the history of African American Jazz dance from African dance, plantation dances to today’s Solo Jazz, with an array of incredible, inspirational and innovative concepts to expand and improve your vocabulary of jazz movement and partner dance. There will be two days of workshops and two evenings of social dancing on Friday & Saturday with live music to practice your solo jazz and incorporate it into your Lindy Hop. There’ll also be a solo jazz competition on Saturday night. Numbers are limited to allow space and keep the event small enough to get to know to the teachers and everyone else.
LEVELS:
1) Improver – Intermediate
2) Intermediate/Advanced – Advanced
Improver – Intermediate:
You have the basic routines under your belt such as the JiveSwing Stroll, Shim Sham & Charleston Stroll – you have knowledge of the classic basic Jazz steps & are ready to push further.
Intermediate/Advanced -Advanced:
You have taken previous Jazz workshops and know lots of the key historic routines such as The Big Apple, Tranky Doo, Trickeration and more. You are ready to work hard, sweat and take your Jazz movement to the next level.
International Instructors & Legends:
Sonny Allen (USA)
Barbara Billups (USA)
Chester Whitmore (USA)
Joseph Sewell (UK)
Charlotte Middlemiss (UK)
Instructors:
Barbara Billups - was a dancer at the famous Savoy Ballroom, NY, home to Frankie and Norma Miller et al, brought into dancing by the Savoy Ballroom Dancer George Sullivan. She won the Harvest Moon Ball Competition in the 1950’s with her then dance swing dance partner Sonny Allen. She was also a member of the Sonny Allen and the Rockets dance troupe and travelled all over to perform. These days Barbara works with Sugar Sullivan to give classes in Lindy Hop and Jazz dance around the world.
Chester Whitmore - is an International Dancer, Orchestra Leader, Choreographer and a global master of Tap and Jazz, having been taught by the famous Nicholas Brothers (stormy weather). He’s choreographed for movies such as “La La Land’, “Boys to Men” and worked with MC Hammer, Michael and Janet Jackson, Jackie Chan, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Miles Davies, Savion Glover and many more greats.
Joseph Sewell - has been dancing Jazz funk, Skanking, Blues, Ska etc since he was a child in the 70s and later teaching swing dance for almost 30 years, having taught and performed across Europe, ASIA, USA and Africa. He’s been taught by and worked alongside legendary elders such as Norma Miller, Frankie Manning, Chazz Young, Barbara Billups, Sugar Sullivan, Chester Whitmore etc, which adds an element of history to his classes.
Charlotte Middlemiss - started out with Tap, Tango and Contemporary Jazz as a child, then whilst at university she embraced Jive and Swing Dance in 2006. She’s performed, competed and been teaching internationally for over 15 years, across Europe, ASIA, USA and Africa. She’s worked with and learnt from the likes Norma Miller, Chazz Young, Barbara Billups, Chester Whitmore etc and Choreographed for movies, theatre etc.
DRAFT SCHEDULE:
Friday 31st October
7:00pm-8:00pm – Master Class
8:00pm-Midnight – Evening Welcome Party
Saturday 1st November
11.30am – Registration
12:00pm – Welcome & Pre Workshop Activities
12.30pm- 4.00pm – Workshops
4:00pm – 4:45pm – Swingopedia Discussion
8pm – Midnight – Harlem Nights Band Night & Competition.
Sunday 2nd November
12.00pm – 4.00pm – Workshops
4.00pm – 5.00pm – Swingopedia Discussion
5:00pm - Farewell Party
NB: Times subject to change
WEEKEND COSTS:
TBC
SOCIAL DANCING TICKETS:
Subject to space - released nearer the event.
TRAINS:
Watford Junction – 5mins Walk
PARKING:
FREE Parking onsite
Town Centre NCP Carparks – 1min walk
HOTELS:
Leonardo Hotels – Opposite the venue
Plenty of others within walking distance.
Please see our SAFE SPACES policy
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Beechen Grove Baptist Church, 28 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JJ, United Kingdom
Tickets
