The Nicholas Brothers - Tap Dancing Sensations
- DSA
- Feb 13, 2021
- 2 min read
Hello Dancers! Last week before reading week woooohhoooo!! :) This week's feature is about the infamous tap dancing duo, The Nicholas Brothers!
Fayard Nicholas, born Oct. 20, 1914, in Mobile, Alabama, and Harold Nicholas, born March 17, 1921, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, began dazzling audiences as boys. At a young age, being sons of college-educated musicians, they were constantly exposed to dozens of vaudeville acts at the Philadelphia theatre where their parents played. Fascinated by the dancers and singers, Fayard Nicholas began to imitate the professionals. Once he picked up on movements and music, he would teach his other siblings, and they would all practice together. Harold eventually picked up the same passion his brother was feeling, and the two began to practice and perform together. Despite being able to have proper dance training, their brothers' unique style was a combination of ballet, jazz, tap, and acro. Once they started to dance around Philadelphia, the pair was unstoppable. They started to gain national attention in 1932 when they were hired at ages 18 and 11 to wow folks at Harlem’s famous Cotton Club. After the club closed in 1940, they eventually headed west, which is when they began to make their Hollywood film debuts. The brothers steadily appeared together in a string of Broadway productions, television shows and motion pictures, including “The Big Broadcast of 1936,” “Orchestra Wives” and “The Pirate”. Despite their stardom, the two still unfortunately faced racist remarks and were discriminated against. They were sometimes told to remain in their dressing rooms until showtime and were often overlooked for leading acting and singing roles. Frustrated with the racial restrictions in America, the Nicholas Brothers made Europe their home for majority of the 1940s and ’50s. Crowds continued to welcome and love the international stars even when they performed as soloists. The two eventually separated for about seven years but then reunited in the States, where they became beloved entertainers and teachers while well into their 70s. Toward the end of their careers, the brothers traveled the world throughout the 1980s and ’90s collecting plenty of awards and making special appearances. Unfortunately, Harold Nicholas died in 2000 at 79, and Fayard Nicholas died in 2006 at 91. Although their style of dance is no longer popularized, their legacy and their iconic routines will forever be memorable in the dance world. Their drive, independence, and creativity is something that will always be cherished and remembered in the dance community.
Here are some clips of the dynamic duo dancing!
That's all for this week dancers! Hope you all enjoy your reading week and take some very much deserved time off!
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