If It Ain't Got That Swing: Part 1

By Tarrin P. Lupo

Due to the strong Jewish and Black origins of swing and and jazz music, both were outlawed in Hitler's Germany. Simply owning a record could get one sent off to be re-educated or worse. When a Jewish swing kid falls in love with the daughter of a Nazi officer, he risks everything just for the chance to win her heart. This novella tells the back story of Murray Soloman from "One Nation Under Blood", part 1 of this series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tarrin P. Lupo
• Release date: Dec 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781937311315

Tarrin P. Lupo

Dr. Tarrin P. Lupo, D.C. is the author of "One Nation Under Blood" and is also known for the historical fiction series "Pirates of Savannah". Dr. Lupo has successfully published over twenty novels and novellas in different fiction and nonfiction genres. He currently resides in New Hampshire and loves cats, playing trumpet and secretly writing comedy when nobody is watching. He also makes documentaries in his spare time, many which you can watch for free at http://www.TarrinLupo.com.

Book preview

If It Ain’t Got That Swing

Written By:

Tarrin P. Lupo

Porcupine Publications

Anti-Copyright 2012 by Tarrin P. Lupo

We believe that copying is a form of flattery and do not abide by the copyright laws. Those laws serve to restrict the flow of ideas, which no one can really own. Please share freely and frequently.

This ebook published by Tarrin P. Lupo and Porcupine Publications at Smashwords

ISBN 978-1-937311-31-5

Available in print edition at www.Lupolit.com and other online retailers.

Acknowledgements

Editor:

Adam Lishawa

Cover Art:

Scott A. Motley

Contributor:

Suzanna Rickard Nope

Preface

Laws became harsher as Hitler rose to power in Germany. He first launched a propaganda war on the Jewish culture to demonize them before blatantly exterminating them. The Führer outlawed Swing music and Jazz because of its Black and Jewish overtones.

A youth counter-culture developed and defied these restrictive mandates. As a form of rebellion, swing kids created their own underground clubs. The members worshiped anything Hollywood or swing related. They copied the styles and lexicon they saw in American movies. The men would dress like gangsters and the women would wear copious amounts of make up. The swing kids would try to cram in as much lingo as they could as an act of defiance to the strict Nazi climate. The teens called each other terms of endearment, such as: Swing-Jugend (Swing Youth), Swing-Papen (Swing Popes), Hotter and Hottler (from Hot), Jazzkatze (Jazz Cat) and Swing-Puppe (Swing Doll). A general term for female dancer was a Sam (Samantha) and a male swing kid was referred to as a Charlie. Even owning just a jazz record could earn one a trip to a reeducation camp or worse. Citizens were reminded to only speak of Hitler through a flower, in other words, only say beautiful things about him. A knock at the door from the Gestapo was rapidly becoming people’s greatest fear.

***

The rain was coming down in sheets and rooflines were launching streams of water into the muddy road. The Panzer tank screeched as it changed direction and headed down the slick street. A small cat was too busy chomping down on a chicken leg someone discarded to pay attention to the approaching steel behemoth.

A woman’s frantic voice yelled at the feline, but the pounding storm drowned her out.

She removed her shoes and took a step into the dirt road. Her foot sank into the brown stew and locked into place. Heidi screamed at her cat as she tugged at her trapped foot.

The white kitty pulled a hunk of chicken off the bone and ignored all else around it.

Heidi shouted and waved her arms as the tank rolled into striking distance.

A flash of white broke through the downfall as a man a in suit stomped his way out into the muck.  With a quick snatching motion the kitty was out of harms way, but it refused to give up it prize. The cat’s dirty paw pushed off his coat. The man in the white fedora slogged his way back to the sidewalk and set down the furry soul.

Heidi broke free and shook the blackish ooze off her toes. The mysterious stranger held his pant legs in front of the downspout to rinse the filth. As she approached to check on her pet, the man turned down the alley and was enveloped by the rainfall. Hey, come back!  Thank you! I never got your name.

***

No, no, no, Murray! It's one, two, three-and-four, five, six, seven-and-eight. Three and four and seven and eight have an extra shuffle step in there. Ethan stomped as he demonstrated.

Murray surveyed his feet and sighed, I never knew it was so hard. Can't we start with something simpler.

Not if you want to meet some girls. They are all trying to dance Lindy Hop now. If you want to get on the best dance cards, you need to know at least the basics.

Why do they call it the Lindy Hop, Ethan? Is that some other American reference?

Ethan pulled a long strand of hair away from his eyes. How are you ever going to be a hepcat when you don't even know that? The dance is one of the first dances where you can let go of your partner, dance away, and come back into a partner position. Get it?

Murray Solomon blinked a few times until Ethan shrugged his shoulders. I even wonder if there's hope for you at all. America has a famous pilot named Charles Lindbergh who flew a hop across the ocean. One of the Negro dancers at the Savoy nightclub in New York invented this dance. He let go of his partner, did a few moves solo, and then picked her back up and kept dancing. Someone asked him what was it he just did and the dancer replied, 'Oh, that. I just took a little Lindy hop.' Do you get it now? You really got to learn more about American style and dancing if you’re going to impress these girls.

Murray watched his shoes and started stepping closely. Ok, so it's a circular motion instead of just side to side?

"Yep, but try not to look at your feet. We should get you hopping by tonight's party. One of the cats has his own