Dakota Beacon

It is Sunday.  This means it’s time to bring you some legendary performances to share.  It as been said that jazz is America’s contribution to music. It can also be said that tap is America’s contribution to the art of dance. In both cases, Black Americans have played an essential role in our lively arts.  

It’s Black History Month and so I have been planning to cull some of the best vintage and recent moments in American dance by some great Black Americans.  Sadly, I must begin with a tribute to actress, dancer and singer Paula Kelly, who died today, at age 76. Here is the beautiful Ms Kelly performing in “Sophisticated Lady” (watch for her at about 1:42): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spf5GwbA900

You might well remember her performance in Bob Fosse’s movie of “Sweet Charity” dancing with Shirley Maclaine and Chita Rivera:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wGgfYJoZts

Kelly was a fine actress as well as a jazz singing great and - obviously - a dancer par excellence.  

One of the greatest entertainers in American history was Sammy Davis, Jr.   He literally grew up dancing. Watch this phenomenal performance in “Rufus Jones for President”.  You will be amazed. No kidding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NPyqFOnCpI

And then he grew up!   Here he is dancing at the Apollo with friends, all tap greats:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz-pzg-b7DI

But with Sammy Davis, Jr., dancing was only the tip of the iceberg - he had one of the best voices in theater (I know - this is about dance, but it’s MY POST!)  Enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbLlCxK0pHY

His was a formidable talent - singing, dancing, impressions and mean drums and vibes.  Here is a brief tour de force: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgWxUipUYjA

The great John Bubbles was known for his articulate tapping - it was almost “conversational” in its effect.  Fred Astaire was known to have said that John Bubbles’ artistry was one of his great inspirations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq38QLBE6wM

Here’s Cab Calloway with the Nicholas Brothers, Harold and Fayard.  Their dancing and their daring athleticism is nothing less than breathtaking.  In this clip they are performing an unrehearsed number, filmed in one take (take the time to read the brief article): 

https://mymodernmet.com/cab-calloway-jumpin-jive-nicholas-brothers/

The early great tap artists had disciples, among them, Maurice and Gregory Hines,another brother team,  who began dancing with their drummer dad, as “Hines, Hines and Dad”. Here is Gregory Hines in a scene from “White NIghts” in which he does a dance duel with classical ballet star Mikhail Baryshnikov.  Hines plays a Black American defector caught in a no-man’s land:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbxI3K8GnpU

And in a tribute to his inspiration, Sammy Davis, Jr.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiEA1HnBmQA

(If you enjoy tap duels, check out the movie, “Tap”, also staring Hines.)

We can’t leave out the ladies.  Here is Dianne Walker and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards with Jason Samuels Smith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S413WN7pBxE

And “Ladi Di” on her own: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXQXIgy2Bw

From the world of Rock, we bring you Michael Jackson in his ground-breaking video, “Beat It””

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdxUFDoQe0

And “Billie Jean”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_XLOBDo_Y

In addition to the amazing contributions to dance in the areas of jazz, hip-hop and classic tap, there is one more artist I want to showcase today, this lady from the world of classical ballet, Misty Copeland, the first Black American principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater.  Here is a study in strength, flexibility, grace and absolute beauty of movement:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw_LfOx-1-c

And 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saMB0Mr1qdE

And 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3wfc52vP8Q

And 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmTtP4cS3_k

And finally as Juliet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxJHjcRGdCQ

This is a really brief sampling of some of the greatest artists from the world of dance.  There is so much more!  Please use this as a starting point and find more great performances yourself.  These are just a few of my favorites.  I hope you have enjoyed the show!

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