Pictured above is the Ma Rainey Georgia Jazz Group posing for a photo.

I am so tired of waiting,
Aren’t you,
For the world to become good
And beautiful and kind?
Let us take a knife
And cut the world in two –
And see what worms are eating
At the rind.
​~Langston Hughes

Tired, a poem by Langston Hughes shown above, exhibits the universal feelings felt by African-americans. A general exhaustion from being degraded by white society. Poems like this were revolutionary, as they gave a voice to the blacks disappointment in American society.

Pictured to the left is a black middle class couple in their cadillac in 1932. 

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The Savoy Ballroom gave people the opportunity to express themselves. Writers, like Langston Hughes, could come and find a sense of community at the Savoy as well as find inspiration. Musicians were also particularly inspire,they had the opportunity to compete in their world-famous battle of the bands. One of the most famous of these was between Benny Goodman and Chick Webb. . Some musicians wrote songs about their experiences at the Savoy, such as, "Stompin' at the Savoy" by Chick Webb and Benny Goodman.          

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The rhythm of life
Is a jazz rhythm,
Honey.
The gods are laughing at us.
The broken heart of love,
The weary, weary heart of pain,
   Overtones,
   Undertones,
To the rumble of street cars,
To the swish of rain. Lenox Avenue,
Honey.
Midnight,
And the gods are laughing at us. 
​~Langston Hughes

​The Savoy Ballroom gave inspiration to many artists, the  street it was located inspired Langston Hughes to create this melancholic poem. The Savoy was extremely progressive for its time period and gave an idyllic escape from the harsh realities of its clienteles daily lives. Outside of the Savoy's doors a segregated society remained but indoors and idea of a society, fully integrated began to emerge. 

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 At the Savoy swing dance began with the popularization of the "Lindy Hop". The best dancers at the Savoy were referred to as "Whitey's Lindy Hoppers". Whitey was the head bouncer at the Savoy, and he knew how to create a particularly good dance troupe. ​

​This scene from the movie "Hellzapoppin" demonstrates how complex Lindy Hop was and highlights how influential it was.

Pictured above a group of Lindy Hoppers at the Savoy. ​ 

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Pictured below dance couples dancing the "jitterbug" at the Savoy Ballroom.