- Ken Snakehips Johnson
Ken 'Snakehips' Johnson (born Kenrick Reginald Hymans Johnson,
September 10 1914 - 1941) was ajazz band leader and dancer.Originally from
British Guiana , Johnson's parents sent him to Britain at the age of 15, where he attendedSir William Borlase's Grammar School before studyingmedicine atEdinburgh University . [ [http://www.marlowtown.co.uk/marlhist.html Marlow's History ] at www.marlowtown.co.uk] Having gained an interest in dance, he sought lessons from Americanchoreographer , Buddy Bradley. It was in dance work that he earned his nickname, 'Snakehips', from his "fluid and flexible style" [ [http://www.swingtime.co.uk/Reviews/kenjohns/kenstory.html The Ken SnakeHips Johnson Story ] at www.swingtime.co.uk]Johnson was invited to lead Leslie Thompson's band, before going on to start his own, called "Ken Johnson and his Rhythm Swingers" (later renamed "The West Indian Orchestra"), which played
jazz and swing music. The band had a residency at theLondon nightclub Café de Paris . It was here onMarch 8 1941 , during the blitz, that two 50K landmines came through the Rialto roof straight onto the Café dance floor soon after the start of a performance. Eighty people died, including Johnson and most of his band. After pondering for some time as to where to bury him, it was decided that his remains should be placed at his old school,Sir William Borlase's Grammar School . They reside in the school chapel, where a panel is dedicated to him. Legend has it that at a certain time of day and a certain time of year sunlight will shine through a slit in his panel revealing the urn in which his ashes reside.References
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