The Birth of a Rhythm
Now, I wasn’t there (at least not in this lifetime), so I can’t tell you the exact moment tap was born,
but legend has it that... Tap dance grew up in America’s cultural melting pot. In the 19th century,
especially in New York’s Five Points neighborhood , Irish immigrants brought their jigs and clogs while
African American communities carried the rhythms of juba and other percussive dances.
Together, they created something brand new.
Dance history is full of mysteries like this—kind of like the old ballet debates. People used to argue whether
ballet was French or Russian. The truth? (or so they say...) Ballet began in 15th-century Italy, gained its polish
(and French vocabulary) under King Louis XIV, and later reached new technical heights thanks to Russian innovation.
The takeaway? Art forms rarely belong to just one place—they evolve through shared influence, passion, and reinvention.
Tap dance is no different.
From Jigs to Juba
In the early 1800s, “jigging” and “juba” weren’t polished theater steps—they were raw, percussive, and full of fire.
✨ Legend Spotlight: Master Juba (William Henry Lane), one of the first tap stars, wowed audiences with his lightning-fast footwork and even competed against Irish step dancers.
Tap Hits the Stage
After the Civil War, minstrel shows gave tap its early platform (problematic though they were), and by the late 1800s, vaudeville made tap a household favorite.
The Click of Metal
Early 20th century = game-changer. Metal taps nailed to shoes amplified every shuffle and stomp, turning dancers into live percussionists.
🎭 Broadway’s 1921 hit Shuffle Along made tap chorus lines the talk of the town.
Tap Styles Sparked
Soft Shoe – smooth, graceful, often without taps.
Rhythm Tap – syncopation + jazz + improvisation.
Flash, Class, and Comedy Acts – tap could be daring, elegant, or hilarious.
“With taps on their shoes, dancers weren’t just moving to music—they were making it.”
Highs, Lows & Revivals
By mid-20th century, vaudeville’s decline and Hollywood’s changing tastes pushed tap aside. But in the late 20th century, tap came roaring back—
infused with hip-hop, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and concert dance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCq0vU-NlsM&list=PLa4fvg9Izx_8cglnX-ZbBv7OvEPa1nTBA&index=1
Tap Trailblazers
Meet just a few of the legends who shaped the sound:
My Tap Dance Butterflies ✨
Now here’s the fun part: my personal brushes with legends.
Fayard Nicholas – saw him live at the Soul to Sole Tap Festival in Austin (2003). Even in later years, he was pure fire.
Acia Gray – Austin TX tap powerhouse. Took some of her classes in the early 2000s, still treasure her signed book. More about her.
Clyde “Tex” Edelman – Tex was a tall man—so smooth he looked like he could dance on ice. In the 1990s, he taught classes at the Tandy Center in Fort Worth, TX. The place was incredible back then: office towers, Tandy Corporation headquarters (yep, RadioShack), an ice rink, shopping, even an ice cream shop that still makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
There was also an underground subway you could ride. My brother and I would toss our tap shoes in the car and head over to study with the legend himself. I remember Tex correcting my posture, reminding me to lengthen my body and my lines. In 1985, he founded Tex’s Tip Top Tappers—now known as Tap’s n Tunes. Tap’s n Tunes
Tap’s n Tunes just celebrated their 40th anniversary! Two of my friends are in the group, so of course I went to the show—and let me tell you, it was all I could do to stay in my seat. They really should supply seatbelts for us “has-been” tappers at times like this! The show was a huge success, and I was honored to be there.
Buster Cooper: I had the pleasure of taking classes with Buster Cooper in Dallas, TX, during the 1990s. He would stroll into class calmly, but once his tap shoes were tied, he transformed into a tapping machine! I swear it looked like his feet barely moved, yet pow-pow-pow—crystal-clear, precise rhythms would fill the room. I truly cherish those moments with him and am forever grateful for the experience.
Here is a beautiful tribute to him: http://www.tapdancingresources.com/dancers/leonard-cooper/
Gracey Tune – An absolute legend in Fort Worth—and beyond. She founded Arts Fifth Avenue in Fort Worth, TX. I had the pleasure of taking several of her classes, all of which were amazing! My brother trained with her for several years during the 1990s, and he still cherishes that time as some of the most meaningful years of his dance journey. Arts Fifth Avenue
Sarah Petronio – She is simply amazing! Both Gracey Tune and Acia Gray have hosted her workshops in the great state of Texas, and I was lucky enough to attend a few. I was consistently blown away by her talent, grace, and kindness. Did I ever nail her combinations perfectly? Honestly, probably not even 50% of the time—but I always had a blast and left in awe, thrilled just to be in the presence of a true tap legend. Watch her here.
“Brad Pitt? Meh. But a tap legend in the room? Cue the cartwheels in my heart.” -Carrie Ann Moore
Why Tap Still Matters
Tap isn’t just performance—it’s a conversation across cultures, generations, and history. Every shuffle, stomp, and time step carries a legacy while creating something brand new.
And if you ever get the chance to see it live? Buckle up—because staying in your chair might be the hardest step of all.
💋✨Until next time... keep loving & living your best life!
🦋Wishing you Love, Light & Sparkles!
🌸 Carrie
Comments
Post a Comment