During the 1940's, 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"

    Al and Leon did a lot 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 1980's and was instrumental in it's growth as an original pioneer of the dance. They truly were great dancers in their prime.

    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 dances together and with partners trying to help keep the dances alive and by doing so caught the attention of author "Marshall Stearns" (book) and was interviewed heavily by Stearns. Stearns book became a defacto authorship for many years, altho it was not entirely correct, as almost all historic pieces on dance are not, It helped historians trace a lot of people and dances of the past. Al was very instrumental 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.