Ken "Snakehips" Johnson

Take a Seat

Ken "Snakehips" Johnson was a gay, black dancer who formed an all black band, 'His West Indian Orchestra' in 1936. Through inspiration from the US, he introduced swing to Britain and importantly helped radical change to society through racial integration up to and during The Blitz.
*NOTE* Longer intro than would be usually due to first episode in upcoming series.
Sources & Links
Information:
1. Stephen Bourne - Fighting Proud: https://stephenbourne.co.uk/fighting-proud/
2. National Archives - Travel to UK: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9318473
3. Ancestry (Subscription Required) - Travel to UK: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1518/?name=Kenrick_Johnson&arrival=1929-8-31
4. Black Plaque Project: https://blackplaqueproject.com/biography/ken-johnson/
5. Bucks Free Press: https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/19288218.tragic-death-ken-snakehips-johnson-borlases/
6. Uncovered: http://uncover-ed.org/ken-snakehips-johnson/
7. Londonist: https://londonist.com/london/history/when-a-music-legend-was-killed-playing-in-central-london
8. Alastair Macaulay - Buddy Bradley: https://www.alastairmacaulay.com/all-essays/etjksjeyv5b3se5z2p9ar7bo8qr1mh
9. Sandy Brown Jazz - Black British Swing by Lionel King: https://www.sandybrownjazz.co.uk/Features/BlackBritishSwing.html
10. Henry Bebop - Black British Swing Discogrophy: http://henrybebop.co.uk/bbswing2.htm
Music:
1. Goodbye My Beautiful, Ken "Snakehips" Johnson and His West Indian Orchestra
2. From My Heart, BDKSonic (VN Video Editor)
3. Better Days, Bensound.com
Additional Resources:
1. https://www.swbgs.com/news/?pid=3&nid=1&storyid=87
2. http://www.elisarolle.com/queerplaces/klmno/Ken%20Johnson.html
3. Interview with Joe Deniz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oul53elqeuw
4. https://www.biography.com/musician/cab-calloway

Thanks for taking a seat with me! Please consider liking and subscribing which will be a massive help for the channel.
For an illustrative version, this episode is also on YouTube: @TakeASeatWithMe | https://www.youtube.com/@takeaseatwithme

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.