MIJNHEER DINGES (WEET NIET WAT SWING IS)

Created on 10/09/2001
Latest update on 09/03/2024

Artist: Johnny & Jones
Author: Joop de Leur/Max Kannewasser/Nol van Weezel
Label: Decca
Year: 1938

Alias for Kannewasser and Van Weezel. Cut with De Ramblers. Means Mister You Know Who (Doesn't Know How To Swing). Probably targeting Adolf Hitler and his aversion against black American music.

Covers:

1964:

Strangers [as De Vier Sukkels]

2000:

Jenny Arean

2001:

Marcel Boone & Arnold Bezuyen [in opera Johnny & Jones]

2009:

Manke Nelis

The opera is based on this duo's life story. They were colleagues in the famous De Bijenkorf department store in Amsterdam. Inspired by black American duo Slim & Slam they successfully pioneered swing singing and scatting in Europe. The two Jewish boys were arrested and deported to camp Westerbork, where they kept entertaining everybody with their cheerful music (Westerbork Serenade). During a short break they cut a few extra songs in Amsterdam. Those glass plates survived. One day after Anne Frank and her family, Johnny & Jones were transported to Germany, where they stayed in many concentration camps. They both died in Bergen-Belsen, 26 and 28 years old. This dramatic plot inspired composer Theo Loevendie and librettist Carel Alphenaar to write a moving opera for the Holland Festival in Amsterdam.

Contact


If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
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Arnold Rypens
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info@originals.be

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