Terry Monaghan
04-09-2004, 03:48 PM
Ernie Smith, the noted jazz film historian and Lindy Hop and Rhythm Tap enthusiast died yesterday in New York, after a long battle with cancer. Ernie was an unsung hero of authentic jazz dance in a number of ways. He was one of the original team of Marshall Stearns assistants that helped in gathering information for the book “Jazz Dance” and as most enthusiasts know Ernie specialised in collecting jazz, music and dance, on film. His collection is now on public access at the Smithsonian in DC. Various allegations were made about him “profiting” out of his work, but the truth is that he was a working vice-president for a major Madison Avenue advertising company and spent a large portion of his income gathering this material. Over the years he made every effort to find the artists who appeared on them, and enabled them to see themselves for the first time, in most cases! Frankie recently remarked, "If it wasn't for Ernie I wouldn't have known who the hell I was." Many inspiring and pleasurable film sessions took place in his welcoming West End Avenue apartment that was packed out with books, cans of film, videos and various pieces of recording and projecting equipment.
When the new groups taking an interest in the Lindy emerged in the early 1980’s most of them found their way to Ernie’s place. The “Swedish Swing Society” did in 1984 and the “Jiving Lindy Hoppers” followed in 1985. Ernie put us in touch with each other and the newly organised group of former Al Minns students who became the “New York Swing Dance Society.” Moreover Ernie gave us the telephone numbers of surviving Lindy maestros like Norma Miller and Pepsi Bethel, and in fact it is difficult to know where we would have been without him. He was the living reference point for just about every aspect of the Lindy Hop, and of course we shouldn’t forget he played a similar role in the tap world. Over the years he gave many film talks at swing events, and although the remorseless growth of the video recorder and countless copies being made of the well known clips, no one seemed to be able to match the scope of Ernie’s collection. We all learned an immense amount form Ernie, and many people will cherish his no-nonsense approach to a subject many others easily romanticise about. Ernie just didn't believe that was necessary, all you have to do is make sure you enjoy the music and the dancing.
Ernie was of Hungarian origin, and literally born in a trunk as his parents worked in Vaudeville. Many people thought he had changed his name, but originally it was “Smith” in Hungarian and he just changed it into English. Eventually his parents stopped travelling and the family settled in Pittsburgh where the Stearns book “Jazz Dance” picks up his story as hopeful young swing dancer. Everyone who remembers the old Monday night “Well’s scene” will recall him dancing the night away at his own comfortable pace with the Savoy old-timers, whilst of course remaining faithful to the Sunday night events of the NYSDS. He was equally passionate about his painting, and eventually took the decision to move permanently to his holiday home that overlooked Lake George to spend more time on this. It is a fabulous location, although I believe the trees have steadily eclipsed the view of the lake. I’m not sure that Ernie ever quite found the tranquillity he longed for there, as his heart remained in New York, and where-ever the Basie beat could be heard. Loved and sadly missed by many, many people, Ernie will be remembered for a long time to come.
Terry Monaghan
When the new groups taking an interest in the Lindy emerged in the early 1980’s most of them found their way to Ernie’s place. The “Swedish Swing Society” did in 1984 and the “Jiving Lindy Hoppers” followed in 1985. Ernie put us in touch with each other and the newly organised group of former Al Minns students who became the “New York Swing Dance Society.” Moreover Ernie gave us the telephone numbers of surviving Lindy maestros like Norma Miller and Pepsi Bethel, and in fact it is difficult to know where we would have been without him. He was the living reference point for just about every aspect of the Lindy Hop, and of course we shouldn’t forget he played a similar role in the tap world. Over the years he gave many film talks at swing events, and although the remorseless growth of the video recorder and countless copies being made of the well known clips, no one seemed to be able to match the scope of Ernie’s collection. We all learned an immense amount form Ernie, and many people will cherish his no-nonsense approach to a subject many others easily romanticise about. Ernie just didn't believe that was necessary, all you have to do is make sure you enjoy the music and the dancing.
Ernie was of Hungarian origin, and literally born in a trunk as his parents worked in Vaudeville. Many people thought he had changed his name, but originally it was “Smith” in Hungarian and he just changed it into English. Eventually his parents stopped travelling and the family settled in Pittsburgh where the Stearns book “Jazz Dance” picks up his story as hopeful young swing dancer. Everyone who remembers the old Monday night “Well’s scene” will recall him dancing the night away at his own comfortable pace with the Savoy old-timers, whilst of course remaining faithful to the Sunday night events of the NYSDS. He was equally passionate about his painting, and eventually took the decision to move permanently to his holiday home that overlooked Lake George to spend more time on this. It is a fabulous location, although I believe the trees have steadily eclipsed the view of the lake. I’m not sure that Ernie ever quite found the tranquillity he longed for there, as his heart remained in New York, and where-ever the Basie beat could be heard. Loved and sadly missed by many, many people, Ernie will be remembered for a long time to come.
Terry Monaghan