During the 1940s, Minns and Leon James (known as the Jazz Dancers) had a comedy act called "Moke and Poke" and even took their act to film. They also developed a novelty act in which they danced together. As a side note, Leon toured with the "Ink Spots" in the mid 1940s as Moke and "Poke" and Coke and "Poke." in the issue of "The Providence Journal - Sept, 12&14, 1945"

Cromer and started performing as 'Coke & Poke' but many continued to confuse the new name with the old Moke & Poke.

    Al and Leon di d alot to help spread The Lindy Hop around the Globe. Thru Newspaper articles, Magazines, Books, Television, Performances and Film. Al helped fuel the Lindy revival in the early 1980s and was instruemental in it's growth as an original pioneer of the dance.

    Al and Leon were approached by Johnny Carson to be part of the daily pre-show entertainment for his TV show. Very soon after, Leon had his first heart attack and plans were scrapped. Later Al was a guest on the show by himself (courtesy
of Mike Thibault).

    During the 1960's Minns and James would do many exhibitions in the Charleston, Shim Sham , Lindy Hop and other the dances together trying to help keep the dances alive and by doing so caught the attention of Marshall Stearns (book) and was interviewed heavily by Stearns. Was instruemental in the early 1980's in bringing back the popularity of the Lindy hop in New York and Sweden. Minns died of cancer on April 4th, 1985 at Queens Hospital Center. He was 65 years old.

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