Al Minns was a popular African American Lindy Hop and jazz dancer from the 1930’s Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, working with Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers as seen in movies such as Hellzapoppin’ & ‘Hot Chocolate’.

He also worked very closely with another dancer Leon James, where they featured in Mura Dehn’s documentary ‘The Spirit Moves’ and various chapters throughout Marshall Stearns book ‘Jazz Dance’, accepted by some as an authority on the subject.

In 1938, Al Minns and Sandra Gibson (AKA Mildred Pollard) won the Harvest Moon Ball competition.  He was extremely passionate about the dance appearing on TV in the 50’s & 60’s to share his passion for Lindy Hop & Authentic Jazz.  

Al Minns also played a key role in the development and growth of Lindy Hop, teaching in Sandra Cameron’s dance studio in the 1980s, then travelling to Sweden in 1984 to work with the dance company The Rhythm Hot Shots. Al Minns passed away on 24th April 1985 and Frankie Manning was sought to continue the work of educating a new generation of the Lindy Hop enthusiasts.

Along with Leon James they choreographed the famous Al & Leon Shim Sham which is still danced by jazz dancers around the world today.

JiveSwing founder Joseph Sewell, has been fortunate to interview Al Minns daughter Denise Minns-Harris about Al Minns life as a father and dancer, which you can see HERE.