Two of the greatest tap dancers who ever lived, the Nicholas Brothers, bring fresh, dynamic, awe-inspiring expression to riding musical rhythm.
As if born in synchronicity with each other and with big band music, these gifted dancers fly. Pause now to experience their surprising story, sound, and way of riding rhythm (less than 2 min):
The Brothers’ level of rhythmic genius is precise, acrobatic, and fluid. Can you hear/feel their tap shoes matching the beat of the music?
Most impressive to me is the joy with which the Nicholas Brothers dance to a song they didn’t even like! Yet, they found a way through their love of music and dance.
That’s inspiring—and gives us a key to navigate more easily.
When the soundtrack of our lives turns sour, we can sweeten the discord. The Nicholas Brothers offer an image of moving gracefully and playfully in a distasteful situation.
We may be frustrated by our current job, ending a relationship, having to relocate cross country, or facing a real health concern. Whatever the story, for the moment we’re in a tough time.
Let’s remember the Nicholas Brothers and lean into the rhythm, find something in the song we can dance to and be inspired to stay light on our feet.
Bring the best we can, given the circumstances, without self-judgment. The song won’t last forever. We, too, can be riding the rhythm, tapping lightly.
That is living as music.
P.S. Want to see the Nicholas Brothers as kids? check out their Lucky Number “audition”
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Comments:
I was a tap dancer and even a teacher. Dance Masters of America and dancing with Fred Kelly, Gene Kelly's brother who taught Fred and were in movies together graced my life with tap. Met Fred through my teacher--they were friends. At the studio where we met, he asked me to dance, so I put on my shoes and did time steps for him. He said I was good. This is one of my most-treasured memories. Thank you.
I was a tap dancer and even a teacher. Dance Masters of America and dancing with Fred Kelly, Gene Kelly's brother who taught Fred and were in movies together graced my life with tap. Met Fred through my teacher--they were friends. At the studio where we met, he asked me to dance, so I put on my shoes and did time steps for him. He said I was good. This is one of my most-treasured memories. Thank you.
Isn't that just beautiful, Maureen. Wow. I'm delighted to hear that you have such a special memory with the Kellys. Thank you for sharing with us!
Love this! They make it look so easy. I learnt tap dancing later in life and took part in the annual concerts, there were several occasions I danced to music I didn't particularly like. It taught me to fine tune my listening skills, listening and feeling the beat of the music but also listening to the other tappers, if someone was slightly off beat you could pick it up if you listened carefully, particularly if it was me. There was usually 6 to 8 dancers in my group. It would take hours and hours of practice through out the year, for a 3 to 4 min. dance, but it was a joy when we perfected our timing and were all doing our best. Dancing in harmony with the music and with each other. We made fabulous costumes too, so we were all looking our best, like the Nicholas Brothers. In synchrony with your blog, this afternoon when I was walking my dog Florence along the water front, I noticed two young girls practicing their gymnastics. I haven't seen them before. They were walking confidently along the peer on their hands with their legs stretched out at right angles above them, then they slowly changed the angle of one leg - all without a wobble. Wonderful strength and balance. "Precise, acrobatic and fluid." A reminder maybe, to ride the rhythm. Thank you Emma.
That's amazing, Beth! I wish I could have seen you tap dance. It does take so much practice for so few minutes, yet those minutes are glorious. Do you have any photos? And how cool that you'd run into the younger generation essentially doing the same thing. Yes, synchronicity. It's a really neat image. I'm amazed at those who can be so physically in synch. Thank you for your comment!