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Savion Glover

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Savion Glover is an American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer. He is widely recognized for developing a unique dance style he describes as "young and funk." To Glover, funk is defined by the bass line and the pulse. It is anything that keeps a person's head on the beat. He describes it as riding with the rhythm. This style is characterized by a heavy foot. He dances with loud, powerful steps to express himself. This approach allows him to "hit," which means using a tap sequence to say something specific.

Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre
Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre

Glover's creative process involves a deep connection to his environment. When he choreographs, he often improvises as he generates new sequences. He listens to the stage itself to find different sounds. He might find a spot on the floor that produces a "dead" tom-tom sound. He looks for areas that provide a deep bass feeling. This method turns the performance space into a musical instrument. His ability to live in a state of joy is a key part of his artistry. This joy allows him to maintain emotional complexity while performing.

Musicality runs deep in Glover's family history. His grandfather, Bill Lewis, was a vocalist and a big band pianist. His grandmother, Anna Lundy Lewis, served as the minister of music at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. She once played music for Whitney Houston while singing in a gospel choir. It was Anna who first recognized Savion's musical talent. She would hum rhythms to him when he was a baby, and he would join in. His great-grandfather, Dick Lundy, was a shortstop in the Negro leagues. Lundy also managed eleven Negro League baseball teams, including the Newark Eagles.

Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre
Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre

Glover learned from many legendary tap dancers. A teacher named Henry LeTang called him "the Sponge" because he learned very quickly. LeTang taught Glover before they worked together on the Paris tap revue "Black and Blue" in 1987. Glover studied under masters such as Gregory Hines, Honi Coles, and Jimmy Slyde. He also learned from Dianne Walker, Chuck Green, and Sammy Davis Jr. Glover uses old-school moves to pay homage to these respected figures. For example, he performed a famous backflip into a split to honor Honi Coles. He feels a responsibility to keep these specific styles alive.

Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre
Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre

Glover's professional career began at a very young age. He graduated from Newark Arts High School in 1991. He made his Broadway debut at age 11 in the musical "The Tap Dance Kid." At age 15, he performed in "Black and Blue." This performance made him one of the youngest actors ever nominated for a Tony Award. In 1992, he played "Young Jelly" in "Jelly's Last Jam." This role earned him a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor. He later received Tony Award nominations for his work in "Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk."

Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre
Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre

His influence extends into film and television as well. He provided choreography and motion capture for the character Mumble in the movie "Happy Feet." He has appeared in films such as "Tap" and "Bamboozled." His television credits include appearances on "Sesame Street" and "So You Think You Can Dance." He has also choreographed for major events, such as the Academy Awards and the Olympic Winter Games closing ceremony. Many dancers have even informally named a specific move the "Savion Glover Timestep" after seeing him perform in "Timeless."

Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre
Savion Glover at the Warner Theatre

Beyond performing, Glover is also an educator and a businessman. He has been teaching tap since he was 14 years old. He created a program called Real Tap Skills. He also founded the HooFeRz Club School for Tap in Newark, New Jersey. He has even formed his own dance company called NYOTs, which stands for "Not Your Ordinary Tappers." Through teaching and creating, Glover ensures that the art of tap continues to evolve. He blends historical techniques into a "stylistic brew" that is entirely his own.

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