"We Make Changes,
Not Excuses"
The Majestic Gents steppers organization was
founded by James (Pete) Frazier in 1996. The organization was formed to provide entertainment in the African American community that was
positive, progressive and to promote black awareness. The Majestic
Gents currently hosts and sponsors steppers events five to seven times per
year. The Majestic Gents currently consists of eight men and two
women. This 10 member entourage span a variety of professions
including construction worker, hair designer, computer consultant,
accountant, fireman, policeman, carpenter, designer/tailor, etc.
For 8
years, the Majestic Gents and Sweethearts have been the honored guests for
V103's Expo For Today's Black Woman. The group also boasts contest
winners from V103's World's Largest Steppers Contest. Various members
have been featured on Channel 7's Steppin On Club 7, Dance Club of 7, City
of Chicago Venues, Channel 9 Special on stepping and a host of other special
events. Recently the group has been asked to host "Culture Night" for the MS
USA Pageant 2001 in Gary, Indiana. In 1999, Pete Frazier released in
the Majestic Slide CD. The Majestic Slide is one of "the newest line
dances that's rocking the west and south side nightspots", according to a
Chicago Defender columnist, Mary A. Mitchell.
The Chicago Defender has written numerous articles about the Majestic
Gents and their activities and events. Currently the Majestic Gents clientele listing consists of more than 3000
patrons.
The Majestic Gents-Goals
Provide entertainment. Promote Stepping as a ballroom dancing art form. Create a social atmosphere that will elevate and build self-esteem
through art and dance. Provide social outlets and awareness in the African American community.
Provide job opportunities in communities that host our steppers events.
Quotes For James P. Frazier
1. Goals are dreams will dead
lines.
2. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the conquest
of it.
3. There's only one way to fail, and that's to quit.
4. Invest in yourself. It will pay you for the
rest of your life.
5. Let me win: But if I cannot win, let me be brave in
the attempt.
6. If you don't fall now and again, it's a sign you're
playing it safe.
7. Character consists of what you do on the third and
fourth tries.
8. Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then
stand firm.
9. The only place you'll find success before work is in
the dictionary.
10. A true leader walks his talk.
11. Progress has little to do with speed, but much to do with
direction.
12. The most important thing about a goal is having one.
Some History About Steppin
Stepping is very unique to African Americans in
Chicago. It has evolved over many years. The Jitterbug was the popular dance
in the 40's, then came the one-step two-step, buggin, the walk and bopping
all helped make steppin what it is today!
According to Herb Rogers Kent the "Cool Gent" the dances that evolved
over the years included the Jitterbug in the 40's which was inspired by the
music. The Jitterbug was during the B-Bop Era when the music was fast and
off-time between beats. Then gradually as the Jazz began to rise the
Jitterbug faded into the Two-step. With a 1 2, 1 2 3 step.
In the 60's, Walk-in was the
dance to watch. Herb recalls that there was nothing like watching the
couples move clockwise in a circle around the dance floor. "It was something
to see". Today, you may see a few couples walking,
but back then, everybody did it.
The walk and bopping slowed down during the Disco Era, the Earl Flynn,
the Spank and other more individualized dances became the popular thing to
do in the early 70's. People like, Sam Chapman, stuck to the couples
dancing, which during the early 70's was the Bop.
Most music over the years was never written for Steppin or Bopping or
Walking; the music was spontaneous. If it had the right beat, the Steppers
would dance to it for months. But, one sure fact, though, with
stepping, once the crowd gets tired of a particular song, the song dies a
sudden death, rarely to be heard again.
The James Brown Era brought out Free-Style stepping which many say
started on the west side of Chicago.
The steppers community is one community that spans from west to south.
There is no distinction between a south-side stepper and a west-side
stepper, according to Sam Chapman, (local club DJ). "I'm from the west side
and I went from as far west as Halsted and as far south as 109th.
There was Badland, The Peppermint, The Greenbunny, which is What's Poppin
now, Guys and Gals, Cogny Pride and for 8 years the 50 Yard Line on 75th has
been a central location for many steppers".
According to Sam Chapman, "Of all the night clubs that held steppers
parties, the 50 yard Line was the only original steppers club. The style of
music was at the discretion of the "DJ". The "DJ" was responsible for
carrying the sound; the "DJ" set the mood and planned the songs. Steppin is
a little more sophisticated with more foot-work and turns then the Bop. The
"DJ" knows when to put the record on controls the pace of the steppers
event. The "DJ" was responsible for songs that became steppin music".
Many say steppin can be traced back to Africa. "The dances evolved in
Africa and in our genes. I saw the moonwalk back in the 40's and Bo Jangles
resembles free-style today" according to the choreographer for A Steppers
Story.
In the 70's you could find steppin maybe one night during the week. The
Disco Era was more popular among dancers. But, Steppers have always been
versatile.
Today stepping is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the
black community. Other ethnic groups of people are beginning to
embrace the art of stepping also. Classes are being held on a weekly
basis at various colleges, night clubs and even in private house holds
throughout Chicago. Many videos are being produced to also help teach
stepping.
Today there are steppers events every night of the week at various night
clubs throughout the city and neighboring suburbs. There are
approximately 50 steppers club/organizations that host these regular
steppers events.
Two television shows feature stepping on a weekly basis: Can I Step With
You on channel 25 and The New Dance Club on 7, formerly known as Steppin on
Club 7 air weekly on Saturday nights.
The Majestic Gents host a web site that features a monthly calendar of
steppers events around the city.
