In the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s musicals and movies with dance sequences were booming. Unfortunately not too many dance legends of that era are still alive. That’s why it’s a very special privilege for us to welcome Jean Veloz - known from “Swing Fever” and “Groovy Movie” - back again as a special guest to the Rock That Swing Festival. With her charisma and her distinctive and gracefull movements at the demonstrations last year she took everybody in her spell.
As an additional guest we are very happy to welcome Bart Bartolo from Los Angeles. Some might know him already from Camp Hollywood or from the World of Swing instructional videos. He loves to show the "kids" the real way and he always has a great story on his lips that he spices up with his special humor.
Jean Veloz belongs to the all-time great swing dance legends of the 40’s. She has an overabundance of style and grace that is difficult to capture in mere words. You have to see her on the dance floor! Jean became the idol of many female swing dancers of the nowadays generation.
It all began when Jean and her brother Ray Phelps made a trip to Los Angeles for a big dance contest at the Hollywood Legion Auditorium. They won the contest hands down against legendary dancers as Dean Collins and Maxie Dorf. The prize was a membership card in the Screen Actors Guild and a part in the movie “Swing Fever” (1944) where the outstanding dance scene to “One Girl and Two Boys” accrued. 
Shortly after that, Arthur Walsh called her for “Groovy Movie”, a humorous short film from Pete Smith about Jitterbug dancing (ca. 1945). End of the 90’s Marcus, Eric and Silvia recreated the dance scene from “Swing Fever” in honor of Jean Veloz and performed it in front of an overwhelmed Jean and an enthusiastic audience.
She married Frank Veloz, the famous ballroom dancer and eventually drifted away from swing as the big band era wound down. Frank Veloz was a spectacular dancer who may be seen in “Pride of the Yankees” (1942) and “Champagne Waltz” (1937).
Jean and Frank concentrated on Ballroom dancing throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. During this period, they had a local television show on ballroom dancing in the Los Angeles area. They taught and did exhibitions until Frank passed away in the 1980s.
The resurgence of Swing dancing brought Jean out of retirement and back into the scene. One day during his researches for old swing legends Rob van Haaren found Jean Veloz. Enthusiastic about his success he immediately called Marcus Koch and both tried to get Jean to Munich to the Boogie-Bären Whitsun Camp. This project didn’t turn out to be easy, because Jean couldn’t believe that anybody in Europe would be interested in having her teaching Swing over there. But both stayed stubborn and succeeded finally. The chemistry was just right and a great friendship between Jean and Marcus and Bärbl started. After her first appearance in Europe Jean was invited to many other camps and events.
And so Jean was back again where everything started ...
His mother always called him Louie, but in the dance community he is know by everybody as Bart. Bart began dancing at 12 years old and has danced in such places as the Pasadena and Glendale Civic Auditoriums, the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, the Zenda Ballroom, the Hollywood Cafe, the Montebello Ballroom, and the Cricket Club in Culver City. He has danced along with such greats as Dean Collins, Lennie Smith, Lou Southern and Hal Takier in contests and exhibitions. Last year he celebrated his 80s birthday.
Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was to have learned the Shim Sham from the late Dean Collins and to have danced along with him on the television show 'In the Swing", hosted by Steve Allen. The show featured the Dean Collins Lindyhoppers and was syndicated throughout the USA.
Bart is also dancing next to Dean Collins on the famous clip that shows a demonstration of the complete Dean Collins Shim Sham version.
Through the years, Bart has done small TV shows such as a TV segment for NBC on Channel 4 called "Two on the Town", has done some exhibitions and has taught dancing when asked. He still loves to dance and continues to go to many of the club conventions and support local club dances.
He has been honored by being inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. He was a board member and swing dance instructor for the California Swing Dance Club (the Dean Collins Club), and is a charter member and board member of the Los Angeles Swing Dance Club and has been chairman of the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.
Bart is a great person and became a very close friend to us, too. We are very happy to be able to welcome Bart in Germany for his first time.
