Chazz Young facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chazz Young
Young at Masters of Lindy Hop and Tap, Century Ballroom, Seattle, Washington, 14 August 2009
Born	Charles Young (1932-11-08) November 8, 1932 (age 92) United States
Occupation	Choreographer Dancer
Spouse(s)	Rheda
Parent(s)	Frankie Manning

Charles "Chazz" Young, born on November 8, 1932, is a talented American dancer and choreographer. He is especially known for his amazing tap dance skills and for teaching others how to dance. Chazz is the son of the famous swing dancer, Frankie Manning.

Chazz Young's Early Life and Dance Journey

Chazz Young grew up with a love for dance. His father, Frankie Manning, was a well-known dancer during the exciting swing era. In 1943, when Chazz was just 11 years old, he saw his father perform for the very first time. His dad was part of a famous dance group called Whitey's Lindy Hoppers.

Chazz loved to practice dancing anywhere he could. He would dance in school hallways during lunch, while waiting for the train, and even on marble steps! He learned tap dancing at the Mary Bruce School in Harlem, a famous neighborhood in New York City. It was there that he met his future wife, Rheda. In 1956, Chazz finished his studies at the New York School for the Performing Arts.

Chazz Young's Dance Career

After graduating in 1956, Chazz Young and his wife, Rheda, joined a dance group called Norma Miller and Her Jazzmen. This group was started by Norma Miller, another famous dancer. Chazz was a part of this exciting group for 14 years, performing many different styles of dance.

Later, when rock and roll music became very popular, dance clubs started hiring fewer jazz and swing dancers. Because of this, Chazz temporarily stopped dancing professionally. From the late 1960s until 1994, he worked at a post office.

However, Chazz's love for dance never truly left him. In 1992, he worked as a dance assistant for the movie Malcolm X, directed by Spike Lee. This was a great chance for him to share his dance knowledge.

Chazz has also traveled the world to teach dance. He has taught at the Herräng Dance Camp in Sweden, which is a very famous place for swing dancers. He also taught at "Goodnight Sweetheart" in the UK from 2006 to 2013, and in Malaysia. He loves sharing his passion for dance with new students.

Chazz Young in Documentaries

Chazz Young has appeared in several documentaries about dance and his father's legacy. These films help share his story and the history of swing and tap dance with more people.