The Congaroos (also known as Four Congaroos, Congaroo Dancers) was a dance group created in 1947 by

Frankie Manning Frank Manning (May 26, 1914 – April 27, 2009) was an American dancer, instructor, and choreographer. Manning is considered one of the founders of Lindy Hop, an energetic form of the jazz dance style known as swing. Biography Manning was bo ...

after completing his military service for

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. The group originally consisted of Frankie Manning dancing with Ann Johnson and Russell Williams dancing with Willamae Ricker. Later Helen Daniels joined the group and partnered Frankie Manning. The group performed

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Conga The conga, also known as tumbadora, is a tall, narrow, single-headed drum from Cuba. Congas are staved like barrels and classified into three types: quinto (lead drum, highest), tres dos or tres golpes (middle), and tumba or salidor (lowest ...

jazz dance Jazz dance is a performance dance and style that arose in the United States in the mid 20th century. Jazz dance may allude to vernacular jazz about to Broadway or dramatic jazz. The two types expand on African American vernacular styles of danc ...

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s, and comedy with musicians and vocalists such as

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Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, i ...

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, Andy Kirk,

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, and

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. The group disbanded in 1955. For their final performance at a benefit in

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refused to play the music for their act. Consequently, the Congaroos did not get a chance to rehearse and were forced to improvise their entire act to music that Lionel Hampton chose.

Filmography

* '' Killer Diller'' (1948) * Killer Diller 1948
See, download Killer Diller at Internet Archive
Congaroos begin @ ~ 51:20

References

American dance groups Lindy Hop Performing groups established in 1947 1955 disestablishments in the United States {{Dance-stub