George is one of the finest dancers of the social Lindy, being known for an especially keen sense of rhythm and balance; and it’s been written, “What is special about George’s dance is his fluidity and timing. Instead of picking his feet up, he keeps the sole of his foot very close to the floor. He also has very good balance, and the result is that he looks like he’s sliding on glass.” He danced by feeling the music, not intellectualizing, thinking of step or routines, or even planning ahead. He just stayed right on the music and his feelings at the time.

While most leaders were initially star sidemen in other orchestras, learning the trade and eventually forming their own groups, Lunceford was never a sideman or a featured soloist, singer, or arranger-composer. In fact, he was a physical education and language teacher. The band that he led in the 1930s and ’40s was in some ways as unusual as his beginnings. While his group was a top-notch swing orchestra, his soloists were secondary in importance to the arrangements, and the main emphasis was on presentation, showmanship, flawless musicianship, and putting on an entertaining show.