TEACHERS
KATIE COBALT & BEN COOK (UK)
KATIE
Katie Cobalt tried many different dance styles before falling in love with Swing. The freedom of improvisation, the satisfaction of rhythm and the deep historical and cultural roots of the dance made her want to learn more.
She is now known for her classroom energy, musicality, and infectious enthusiasm for all things Jazz. When it comes to dance, she deeply values self expression and fully committing to the idea. As a teacher, she focuses on individually helping her students on their own dance journeys and finds so much joy in seeing them grow.
Katie holds multiple first place titles at, Savoy Cup, International Lindy Hop Championships and Balkan Lindy Hop Championships. When not throwing down in international competitions she is teaching all over the world in more than 20 countries sharing what she has learned. When not on the dance floor you might find her in a hip hop class or on the stage at her local drag bar.
BEN
Benjamin originally hails from Melbourne, Australia, where he found swing dancing in 2006. He now lives in London; teaching, performing and travelling the world chasing Lindy Hop. Proud to have come from a background without professional dance training, he has placed in over 30 different competitions around the world, is a 2-time UK Lindy Hop Champion and also won the Advanced Strictly Lindy at ILHC in 2013. Benjamin’s ability to break down moves and ideas into surprisingly manageable pieces, and attention to personal detail of his students has earned him a reputation as one of the UK’s most prominent instructors. Ben loves to teach people all the things that he loves about swing, and his number one goal is always to show dancers the ways to exceed their own expectations without straying from having fun!
In 2024 he is returning to Malmö – he actually taught at the very first edition of Malmö Spring Jump in 2012!
CHARLIE & REBECKA DECAVITA (SE)
Charlie and Rebecka, a.k.a. The DecaVitas, are world-renowned dancers specializing in authentic Swing and Jazz Age dances. They have been teaching and performing together since 2006, competing since 2008 and are today among the top names in the international Swing Dance scene. They particularly value the art of leading and following, believing that leaders and followers require equal amounts of classroom information to create the best possible connection on the dance floor.
NICK BAETEN (BE) & VICTORIA KAHLSTRÖM (SE)
Victoria (SE) and Nick (BE) will join teaching forces together for Malmö Spring Jump! They have a rather unorthodox approach to Lindy Hop, with a lot of focus on expression and historical context. More concept, less moves. Dance first, then Lindy Hop.
Nick has been dancing and teaching all over Europe. He was a scene leader in Brussels and is now teaching and organising Jazz events in Stockholm. The music and feeling, in classes as on events is the most important thing to him. Having a connection with the music is a core value he’ll always bring up. As a dancer, teacher, organiser or whilst DJ’ing.
(And oh, he’s A Belgian Guy)
BANDS
GENTLEMEN & GANGSTERS
Gentlemen & Gangsters play traditional New Orleans hot jazz with a touch of swing. Focusing on authenticity in content and delivery, as well as a solid, driving rhythm, the group strive to play music that moves you and that stays true to the style of jazz giants such as Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Muggsy Spanier, Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, etc. Playing mainly for the Lindy Hop community, they perform all over Europe on a regular basis and dancers from all over the world have praised them for their energy, presence, and sensitivity to what matters to a dancing audience. The Gentlemen & Gangsters play jazz music as it was meant to be played: with the flair and sophistication of true gentlemen, yet with the grittiness and brute force of hardened gangsters.
Band members
Henrik Johnsson, trombone
Thomas Rylander, clarinet, saxophones
Pål Walfridsson, trumpet & vocals
Martin Olsson, guitar
Arvid Jullander, double bass
Adam Ross, drums
TUXEN LOCKJAW
Back in Malmö by popular demand: We proudly present Tuxen Lockjaw!
TUXEN LOCKJAW (led by saxophonist Mads Tuxen) plays authentic swing music as it sounded in the 40’s, where there was partying and wild dancing. The orchestra consists of some of Denmark’s finest musicians within the Jump Blues genre and in the style of “The Texas Tenors”, where the saxophonists would battle against each other, just like Illinois Jaquet, Eddie Lockjaw and Arnett Cobb.
Malmö Spring Jump 2024 