the Batimore Buzz Dance
History Origin Page
Ballrooms
Burlesque
Contests
Dancers
Marathons
Movies
Posters
Sheet Music
Troupes
Refresh
INDEX
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
S
T
U
V
W
XYZ
Home
Music Lists:
Contemporary WCS
|
Trad'l WCS
|
C/W Swing
|
Big Band
|
Disco
|
Gospel
|
Holiday
|
Hustle
|
Late Night
|
Latin
|
Latin WCS
|
Mash-Ups
|
NC2S
|
Techno
You Are here:
Streetswings Dance History Archives: Baltimore Buzz
The Baltimore Buzz is called a "
Lowdown Step
" and was done in most clubs and stages through out the country in the 1920s. This was more of a dance step than an actual dance. The "Buzz" would be done along with other dances of the time. The dance gained its stardom in the 1921 All Negro Revue called 'Shuffle Along' when
Florence Mills
danced and sang the song.
The step was done with stepping (
walking
) on one foot, and sliding the other foot up to it, then repeat other foot. This is done on the toes with the knees bent. The hips sway in the direction of the stepping foot. Arms held up and palms turned out (
something like the Eagle Rock
). The dance could be done as a couples dance as well by following the song lyrics. (
The lyrics using dance instruction was popular at the time
). Eventually this lead to the
Shorty George
or Boogie Walks.
Buddy Bradley
was a popular African-American New York Dance Instructor who taught many how to do the dance in its day. Other dances of the time that were popular along with this step was the "Ballin' The Jack, Black Bottom, Breakdown, Buzzard Lope, Camel Walk, Eagle Rock, Texas Tommy, Shake dance, Shimmy, Snake Hips, Turkey Trot," etc.
Birth Place
Creation Date
Creator
Dance Type
?Mississippi?
c.1920
n/a
Ragtime Dance
♪
♪
♪
♪
Posters, Lobby Cards etc.
Sheet Music Covers
Music Titles
n/a
1927 - Baltimore
Baltimore Buzz (James P. Johnson)
(Clip)
♪
? 1909 - The Baltimore Bombashay?
♪
Night Clubs
Theaters
Locations
Savoy Ballroom
n/a
Mississippi
♪
♪
New Orleans
♪
♪
New York
♪
♪
Mississippi
Films
Television
Ballets / Stage
♪
n/a
Shuffle Along
♪
♪
Ziegfeld Follies
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
Publications
♪
♪
n/a
Other Related Dances of the time...
Apache Dance
Buck Dance
Fox-trot
Ring Shout
Suzy-Q
Ballin The Jack
Bunny Hug
Grizzly Bear
Savoy
Tap Dance
Big Apple
Cakewalk
Jitterbug
Shag
Texas Tommy
Black Bottom
Charleston
Lindy Hop
Shimmy
|
Shake dance
Toddle
Breakaway
Collegiate
Mess - Around
Shim-Sham
Truckin'
Breakdown
The Eagle Rock?
Peelin' The Peach
Snake Hips Dance
Turkey Trot
Dancers, Choreographers etc.
Political
Buddy Bradley
(See above Pic)
Ulysses 'Slowkid' Thompson
n/a
Florence Mills
♪
♪
Books, Magazine Articles on the dance...
Title
Author
Date Published
Publisher
Dance Magazine
Elise Marcus
9/1927
Macfadden Publications
Spreadin Rhythm Around
Jasen, David A.
1998
Shirmer Press
Musicians
Bands
Singers
Poets / Writers
Eubie Blake's Shuffle Along Orchestra (HMV VICTOR Record - 18789 (Berliner Canada)
n/a
n/a
n/a
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
Misc. Research Words that may be related ... to help your searches
High Ball
Juke Joint
Locomotive
♪
Juke
Field Hollers
Work Songs
♪
Other...
Lyrics to the Baltimore Buzz Song: There have been a thousand raggy-braggy prances
That were danced at every ball.
There have been a thousand raggy-braggy prancers
That have pranced at every hall!
But the bestest one that was,
Is called the Baltimore Buzz! Now, first, you take your babe and then you hold her,
Then, you lay your head upon her shoulder,
Next, you walk just like your legs are breaking,
Do a bangle like a jangle then you start to tip and a-tangle. Then, you do a raggy-braggy motion,
Just like any ship upon the ocean,
Glide! And then you hesitate,
Slide, oh, honey, ain't it great?
You will simply go in a trance with the Baltimore Buzzin' dance!
Above Repeats
... [
Spoken at end of song
] Look out! Get 'em! 'Atta boy.
Created April 22, 2013
http://www.Streetswing.com/histmain/d5index.htm
eMail: StreetSwing.com
Copyright ©1999 - 2013 www.StreetSwing.com
Ballrooms