Jean Veloz might be 90-years-old, but she has the dance moves of a 20-something. In fact, men are still lining up to dance with her.
In the video below, Jean celebrates her 90th birthday and steps onto a dance floor surrounded by eager dance partners; when she starts dancing, she has the entire audience completely stunned. She begins swing dancing with lightning fast moves and perfect form that leaves everyone’s jaws dropped.
Jean, however, isn’t a stranger to swing dancing — she’s actually quite the legend. Jean has been dancing Hollywood-style Lindy for over seven decades. She made her mark during the 1940’s swing dance movement.
The talented dancer even appeared in the classic movie ‘Swing Fever’ in 1943. Her dancing now is just as graceful as it was then.
According to Jean Veloz’s website, “The Phelps (her maiden name) family moved to Los Angeles in 1942, which allowed Jean and her brothers the opportunity to dance at the LA hotspots. In 1943 Jean entered a contest at American Legion Stadium in Hollywood, where the prize was a Screen Actor’s Guild membership card and a dance cameo in the movie Swing Fever starring Kay Kyser and Marilyn Maxwell. Jean won the contest, her SAG card, and the opportunity to dance with Lennie Smith and Don Gallager in the feature-length movie.
This opened the door to many other opportunities. 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.“
In 1996, Jean Veloz was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame and continues to dance even today. The video below was filmed during her 90th birthday celebration, and she had a line of dance partners waiting to dance with the Hollywood Lindy legend.
Jean is now 93-years-old and moves exactly like she did back in the 1940’s. The beautiful woman glides and steps across the dance floor with her partners, and each time, she adapts to each person’s personal dance style. It’s clear that dancing is in her blood. After the dancing ends, it’s time to sing Happy Birthday and indulge in some cake with her fans.
The spectators on the side of the dance floor in the video below are in complete awe as Jean moves so gracefully with each dance partner — it looks as if she’s floating across the dance floor.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
