Weekends and Friday nights are best spent on the dance floor. But while most people might head to their favorite club, a significant number of Thai dancers are traveling to local swing dance studios and jazz bars. Needless to say, they’re both a good time.

Jelly Roll Jazz Club, one of the pioneering members of the local swing dance resurgence, first brought it back to the scene with the Lindy Hop. A joyful, flowing dance style that originated in Harlem, New York, the Lindy Hop was a zeitgeist of its time. Today, it has found a new following on the other side of the world.

“The resurgence likely began in June 2022 with our first ‘Swing in the Park’ event,” shared the Jelly Roll Jazz Club team. “We collaborated with The Stumbling Swingout [band] to promote swing music and swing dancing. Our goal was to teach swing dance classes and perform with a live band at different parks across Bangkok each month.”

Since then, the Jelly Roll Jazz Club has brought swing dancing to parks, train stations, and private locales. But while some might be surprised at how fast it caught on, the team behind such efforts revealed that the jazz scene in Thailand has always been a dynamic one.

“The country has no shortage of jazz bars and talented musicians,” they shared. “However, swing-era jazz, specifically, isn’t played as often — probably because it's no longer considered mainstream. We aim to change that!” As a fan of the genre, the team added that swing-era jazz is not only fun and catchy, but inspires movement too. “To be a talented swing dancer, you don’t need perfection — you just need to trust in the swing and let the music guide you,” they emphasized.

Indeed, the faces of Jelly Roll Jazz Club students say it all: everyone seems to have a lot of fun. While swing dancing variations — such as the Lindy Hop and the Charleston — are considered structured dance forms, they still manage to encourage a sense of creativity, self-expression, and connection with the music.

“What first drew me in to [swing dancing] was the joy it brings,” commented Jelly Roll Jazz Club. “It isn’t just about getting the steps right, it’s about having fun and embracing the moment.” According to them, swing music’s infectious nature makes the dance community incredibly welcoming. “Anyone can jump in and be a part of it!” they added.

To fully grasp the growing popularity of this new movement, one can simply look back on the Jelly Roll Jazz Club’s most recent events. Held at the Hualamphong Station last August 2024, their “Step into Swing: Take the A Train” drew a crowd of 2,000 people. The event even hosted a city dance competition between Singaporean and Taiwanese dancers.

Another of their most successful initiatives was titled “Swing Era.” The gathering brought together 400 dancers from a handful of different countries. Internationally renowned dancer, Chester Whitmore, who once danced with Duke Ellington, was the special guest, dancing with other enthusiasts to seven guest bands.

“We want [our guests and students] to have the most fun they've ever had — limitless, epic fun!” shared the team. “When something truly swings, your body just moves naturally, and as dancers, we become part of the musical instrument in the song.”

Jelly Roll Jazz Club’s ultimate belief is that if you can walk, then you can dance. Beginners are more than welcome to join them on Sundays at 5:30 PM, when the group hosts beginner workshops and social dancing. Regular classes are also offered to everyone, from all walks of life, with no age limitations, and no partner needed.

To know more or join in the fun, check out Jelly Roll Jazz Club’s website or Instagram