Discover the incredible talent and artistry of the most famous black tap dancers, both male, and female, who have left an indelible mark on the world of tap dance.
Famous black tap dancer male
Discover the incredible talent and legacy of famous black male tap dancers who have left an indelible mark on the dance world.
1. Gregory Hines
Gregory Hines was an exceptional choreographer, dancer, and actor who revolutionized tap dance in the twenty-first century.
He introduced several new elements to tap dance that were previously unknown.
Hines also incorporated contemporary music styles into his tap dance performances; some believe he was destined for this innovation.
He began tap dancing at age 2, and by the time he was 5, he was virtually an expert.
Gregory Hines connected the great dancers of the past and the modern musical trends of his time.
He bridged the gap between the two eras and revitalized the dancing genre. His contributions to tap dance will always be remembered and celebrated.
2. Savion Glover – Greatest tap dancer in history
Savion Glover is a renowned black American tap dancer, highly regarded by his teacher, Gregory Hines, who considered him potentially the most excellent tap dancer in history.
This praise carries significant weight, given Hines’ legendary status in tap dance.
Like many other performers, Savion Glover began dancing at a young age and has continued to evolve and grow, incorporating contemporary musical trends and grooves into his tap dance performances.
He has an extensive history on Broadway, having choreographed numerous productions. With his talent and innovative approach, he is one of the foremost stars in the genre.
3. The Nicholas Brothers – Famous black tap-dancing brothers
The Nicholas Brothers, including Fayard Nicholas and Harold Nicholas, were renowned for their exceptional “flash” and tap dancing careers.
In 1932, Fayard was 18 years old, and Harold was just 11 when they landed their first big break. They had gained popularity in Hollywood by performing with well-known bands.
Fayard Nicholas and Harold Nicholas were featured in several movies, including Kid Millions, St. Louis Woman, Down Argentine Way, and Stormy Weather.
They appeared in “The Ziegfeld Follies of 1936” and “Babes in Arms.”
4. Charles “Honi” Coles
Charles “Honi” Coles was a renowned American tap dancer and actor best known for his long-time partnership with Charles “Cholly” Atkins.
The duo’s collaboration began after Cholly’s service in World War II, and their dance performances helped popularize tap dancing.
They traveled with famous big bands, including Duke Ellington’s, Cab Calloway’s, and Count Basie’s, and even created short films for TV.
One of their most loved performances is “Taking a Chance on Love,” a soft-shoe routine that gained popularity and led to an appearance on CBS-TV Camera 3 program.
Charles Coles’ fame grew, earning a Tony Award in 1983 and receiving a National Medal for his contributions to dance.
In the 1980s, he taught dance and dance history at prestigious universities, including Cornell, George Washington, Yale, and Duke.
Cholly Atkins went on to work for Motown Records as a staff choreographer between 1965 and 1971.
He pioneered a new dance and vocal choreography style, receiving recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1993.
5. John W. Bubbles
John W. Bubbles was a talented singer and dancer who significantly contributed to tap dance’s development and commercialization.
His career began when he was only ten and teamed up with six-year-old dancer Buck Washington to create a singing, dancing, and comedy show.
John W. Bubbles became immensely popular, largely thanks to his partnership with Buck Washington. They were the first black artists to perform at New York’s famous Radio City Music Hall as part of the “The Ziegfeld Follies of 1931.”
John W. Bubbles is credited with being the first dancer to combine jazz and tap, which paved the way for many current jazz-tap ensembles.
6. Bill Robinson
Bill Robinson, the father of tap dance, gained fame for his film roles alongside Shirley Temple, a child actress.
He was a leading actor in 14 movies and 6 Broadway productions, a remarkable feat for a black actor during his time.
Despite discrimination in the vaudeville circuits, he became the first black soloist performer, headlining for 40 years. Bill Robinson is celebrated for his precise musicality and graceful movements.
Famous black tap dancers female
Explore the rich history of black female tap dancers and their significant contributions to the art of tap dancing. Uncover their inspiring stories and legacies.
1. Chloe Arnold – Best female tap dancer of all time
Chloe Arnold is a renowned director, producer, Emmy-nominated choreographer, and actress from the United States. She is famous worldwide for her exceptional talent in tap dancing.
Chloe Arnold and her team emerged victorious in the 1st Crew Battle on Fox’s, So You Think You Can Dance.
Chloe’s passion for dance began at the tender age of 6. She trained under Chris Bellou in the National Tap Ensemble from 10 to 13 years old and later under Toni Lombre in Taps & Company from 13 to 18.
Chloe and her sister Maud Arnold co-direct and produce the DC Tap Festival, which is highly acclaimed and recognized globally. The US HOR has identified them as art ambassadors and preservers.
Chloe’s solo tap performances have taken her to more than 21 countries and 35 states, cementing her reputation as one of the most fantastic female tap dancers ever.
2. Maud Arnold
Maud Arnold, the sister of Chloe Arnold, is a renowned tap dancer. She is highly sought after as a performer, teacher, and judge and has traveled to different parts of the world, like the U.S., Brazil, Russia, Tokyo, and Barcelona.
Maud collaborated with Beyonce and even appeared in the national commercial for the Toyota Corolla in 2014.
Maud’s mentor, Debbie Allen, trained and guided her to become a skilled dancer. 19 Maud began teaching at Debbie Allen’s LA dance academy and a Texas dance institution.
Maud’s incredible talent has been recognized by various TV shows such as HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, The Today Show, and Fox 5.
Additionally, she’s performed alongside renowned tap dancers like Debbie Allen, Chloe Arnold, Jason Samuels Smith, and Jared Grimes.
3. Ivy Anderson
Ivy Anderson, originally from Muncie, Indiana, has been passionate about dancing since the age of 3. She began her career by competing in various dance styles and was awarded several scholarships and accolades.
At 14, Ivy made her professional debut in a program called “Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Celebration” and continued to perform in it every year until she graduated from high school.
When she turned 17, Ivy started to focus on her preferred style of dance, tap. She has since performed in various events such as DC Tap Fest, Feeling Good, and A M.A.D.D.
4. Anissa Lee
Anissa Lee is a talented young black tap dancer from California in the United States.
She is a member of Chlor’s Syncopated Ladies, an all-female tap dance group. Their Beyonce Tap Salute video went viral after receiving an endorsement from the singer herself.
The group was even allowed to perform on the popular television show So You Think You Can Dance!
During the Super Bowl, Anissa Lee appeared in Coca-Cola’s “It’s Beautiful” commercial. She has since joined The Tap Music Project and Sarah Reich.
Some of her notable performance credits include Tap Festivals in Vancouver, DC, and LA, as well as press release events for the Oscar-winning movie “Happy Feet” in 2006.
What is Tap Dance?
Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of rhythmic expression.
Tap dancing is an art form with a rich history that spans many years. It draws inspiration from a diverse range of musical styles, including Afro rhythms and Caribbean local music.
Along with jazz, it is considered one of the outstanding American artistic contributions.
Both tap dancing and jazz are unique disciplines that have gained widespread recognition and are frequently practiced.
Mastering tap dancing requires time, discipline, and a genuine passion for the art form.
Rhythm of Tap Dance
The art of tap dancing is defined by a unique rhythm that requires much skill to master.
Maintaining the tempo, producing pleasing sounds, and executing visually appealing moves all at once is challenging.
Every step produces a sound that must be coordinated with the performance. Learning the choreography and keeping up with all the details can be difficult initially.
Furthermore, the syncopated rhythm featured in tap dancing is particularly challenging to maintain. It is a popular beat found in various musical genres with similar origins.
The shoes for Tap Dance
Tap dancing requires a unique shoe with reinforced soles that feature a metal piece to produce the desired sound when striking the floor.
While tap shoes can be pricey and noisy for those living beneath you, they are delightful to use once you become accustomed to them.
Learning the initial moves may take some effort, but with practice, you’ll be able to dance in no time.
Conclusion
Our list of famous black tap dancers showcases individuals who have contributed remarkably to the tap-dancing scene.
These trailblazers have also inspired aspiring black talents to bravely pursue their dreams of becoming exceptional dancers.
We would love to hear from you about which tap dancer from our list is your personal favorite. Feel free to leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us.
