I think the most popular vision many people have of Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson, is his amazing dance with Shirley Temple in the movie, The Little Colonel. The routine they did together going up
and down the stairs captured the hearts of millions of people and is
a classic to this day.
He had though, a long career before this 1935 film. He got his first professional job in 1892, performing as a member of the pickaninny chorus for Mayme Remington with The South Before the War.
Robinson then went on to New York to hit the vaudeville Orpheum circuit, but did not wear blackface makeup that performers customarily used. He was an inductee in 2002 American Tap Dance Foundation's Hall of Fame, where they outline his prestigious career in this article :
http://www.atdf.org/awards/bojangles.html
The following is one of my favourite videos I have seen of his
famous 'step dance'. The 1932 footage is a bit grainy, but well worth a peek, enjoy !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjCFYpWDmfM
Just a note, I actually meant for you all to watch THIS following
clip from Bill Bojangles, truly amazing !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4D4OER3vts
No comments:
Post a Comment