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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. |
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Birth Place |
Creation Date |
Creator |
Dance Type |
| ?Mississippi? |
c.1920 |
n/a |
Ragtime Dance |
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Posters, Lobby Cards etc. |
Sheet Music Covers |
Music Titles |
| n/a |
1927 - Baltimore |
Baltimore Buzz (James P. Johnson) (Clip) |
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? 1909 - The Baltimore Bombashay? |
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Night Clubs |
Theaters |
Locations |
| Savoy Ballroom |
n/a |
Mississippi |
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New Orleans |
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New York |
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Mississippi |
Films |
Television |
Ballets / Stage |
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n/a |
Shuffle Along |
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Ziegfeld Follies |
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Publications |
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n/a |
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 |
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Misc. Research Words that may be related ... to help your searches |
| High Ball |
Juke Joint |
Locomotive |
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| Juke |
Field Hollers |
Work Songs |
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| 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.
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