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The Global Trickeration Project was created by the organizers of the International Lindy Hop Championships to celebrate Norma Miller‘s 100th birthday and her signature choreography.  The project invited dancers from all over the world to learn Norma’s Trickeration routine, film it, and send it to ILHC to be included in a tribute to Norma at the International Lindy Hop Championships.  Norma’s legacy and dancing live on as the Queen of Swing continues to inspire us today and talk about her legacy following her passing last year.

Traditionally, Trickeration is done to Count Basie’s recording of “Jive at Five,” but the dancers in Lyon, France opted to use our recording of this fantastic tune for their choreography – thanks and cheers!  Here’s to Norma!

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World-renowned Balboa dancer Olga Marina is launching a new website this month called isolobalboa.com, which will feature more than 100 videos, demos, exercises for both for leaders and followers in the pure Balboa and Bal-Swing dance styles.  We’re delighted that Olga featured the Mint Julep Jazz Band’s recording of “You Can’t Live in Harlem” in her promotional video for the website, which showcases her incredible footwork and joyous energy!  Follow her Facebook page for more updates on videos and the website.

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One of the signature tracks from our first album Durham on Saturday Night is the song One Girl and Two Boys, a classic tune performed originally by NC native Kay Kyser’s orchestra in the 1944 film Swing Fever.  We love songs that tell a story, and so do dancers – it’s fun to see how people will put their own spin on this tale of a love triangle, so here are a few interpretations through dance choreography using MJJB’s recording of this song:

One of our favorite chorus girl troupes, New York City’s The Bathtub Ginnys:

A “Dance Wars Spectacular” with dancers Lisa Pearson, Dave Saylors, and Craig Johnston  in the signature roles:

And, finally, the winner of the 2013 Jazz Dance Film Fest (and unofficially our first music video), spearheaded by and starring Seattle dancer Jennifer Lee:

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Back in October we performed at the Duck Jazz Festival, a fantastic two day jazz festival on the outer banks of North Carolina, and they’ve put together a highlight reel from the festival, including the Mint Julep Jazz Band’s performance at the swing dance lesson taught by Laura Windley and Keenan McKenzie – check it out and make plans to attend this wonderful festival by the sea.