Jean Phelps Veloz, the icon of the Hollywood-Style Lindy to new generations of swing dancers, provides a living bridge from the Los Angeles dance scene of the 1940’s to the present-day Lindy Hop revival that has swept the United States and the rest of the world since the late 1990’s.
In 1944 Jean made the well-known MGM film short Groovie Movie with Arthur Walsh. Also in the short were Lenny Smith, Kay Vaughn, Irene Thomas and Chuck Saggau. Groovie Movie has become a favorite of swing dancers all over the world as they study this piece of history for the delicious look of this style of Lindy.
She danced with Chuck Saggau in 20th Century Fox’s Swingin’ On a Tea Garden Gate starring Peter Lawford; danced with Dean Collins in the MGM move The Horn Blows at Midnight starring Jack Benny as the angel Gabriel; and in MGM’s Jive Junction, dancing with Bob Ashley. Jean and brother Ray entered many dance contests in the Hollywood and Los Angeles areas. Dean Collins was the undisputed leader of the dance scene at the time, and Jean and Ray followed him everywhere. In 1946, Jean danced in the chorus line Showing no signs of slowing down, Jean has been invited back by Marcus and Barbl to appear as a special guest at the 2007 Munich dance event. The world-wide Lindy community continues to seek Jean’s participation.at El Rancho Vegas Hotel, working with choreographer Nick Castle for six months.
At 88, and showing no signs of slowing down, the world-wide Lindy community continues to seek Jean’s participation.
