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Page Updated:  May 7, 2006
Streetswings Dance History Archives

Buddy Bradley doing the Baltimore Buzz, circa:1927

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 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 Shimmy, Black Bottom, Ballin' The Jack, Eagle Rock, Breakdown, Turkey Trot, Texas Tommy, Camel Walk, Buzzard Lope 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

     

? 1909 - The Baltimore Bombashay?

     
 

Night Clubs

Theaters

Locations

Savoy Ballroom n/a Mississippi
            New Orleans
            New York
            Mississippi
 

Instructional / Exercise

Television

Ballets / Stage

n/a

n/a

Shuffle Along

           

Ziegfeld Follies

             
           

Publications

            n/a
                 
 

Other Related Dances of the time...

Apache Dance Buck Dance Fox-trot Ring Shout Tap Dance
Ballin The Jack Bunny Hug Grizzly Bear Savoy Texas Tommy
Big Apple Cakewalk Jitterbug Shag Toddle
Black Bottom Charleston Lindy Hop Shimmy Truckin'
Breakaway Collegiate Mess - Around Shim-Sham

Turkey Trot

Breakdown The Eagle Rock? Peelin' The Peach

Suzy-Q

 
 

Dancers, Choreographers etc.

Political

Buddy Bradly (See 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.