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Nicholas brothers (America, 1914-??): Most of the prodigies that HBC has listed are musical prodigies. This is because there are many opportunities for children to show case musical talents, both instruimental and vocal music, than is the case for dance talent. It apparently takes longer for children to learn dance skills and young children so not have the physical strength to perform meaningfully. Music talent is different and can be performed by quite young children. One popular group of child damvers was the Nicholas brothers. The two greatest tap dancers that ever are aeguably the Nicholas brothers. This much beloved dance consisted of Fayard (1914- ) and Harold (1921-2000). The boys were raised Philadelphia. Their parents were musicians who played in their own band at the Standard Theater. their mother played the piano and their father the drums. At the age of only 3 years, Fayard sat in the front row while his parents worked. He had by the time he was 10 years old seen most of the great black Vaudeville acts. He especially enjoued watching the dancers. This inclided notables sich as Alice Whitman, Willie Bryant, and of course Bill Robinson. Fayard was fascinated by them and their rythm. He began imitated their acrobatics and clowned for the neighborhood kids. When Harold arrived several years later, he imitated Fayard and was soon a comperent dancer as well. The boys began dancing on stage and on radio shows--quite an accomplishmenr for dancers. They first appeared in black films in "Pie Pie Blackbird" diring 1932, with Hubie Blake and his orchestra. Appearances in mainstream Hollywood films followed.

Parents

Their parents were musicians who played in their own band at the Standard Theater. Their mother played the piano and their father the drums.

Childhood

The two greatest tap dancers that ever are aeguably the Nicholas brothers. This much beloved dance consisted of Fayard (1914- ) and Harold (1921-2000). The boys were raised Philadelphia. At the age of only 3 years, Fayard sat in the front row while his parents worked. He had by the time he was 10 years old seen most of the great black Vaudeville acts. He especially enjoued watching the dancers. This inclided notables sich as Alice Whitman, Willie Bryant, and of course Bill Robinson. Fayard was fascinated by them and their rythm. He began imitated their acrobatics and clowned for the neighborhood kids. When Harold arrived several years later, he imitated Fayard and was soon a comperent dancer as well. The boys began dancing on stage and on radio shows--quite an accomplishment for dancers.

Clothing

We have seen very few imags of the Nicholas Brothers a boys. They must exist, but we have t yetseen many. Fayad was quite a bit oldr than Harold. W have seen one image of the boys perorming in suits, I think it was from one of their ealy black films. The suits are identical light colored outfits. Fayad wears long pants and Harold sort pants and kneesocks.

Education

Prodigy

Nicholas brothers (America, 1914-??): Most of the prodigies that HBC has listed are musical prodigies. This is because there are many opportunities for children to show case musical talents, both instruimental and vocal music, than is the case for dance talent. It apparently takes longer for children to learn dance skills and young children so not have the physical strength to perform meaningfully. Music talent is different and can be performed by quite young children. One popular group of child damvers was the Nicholas brothers.

Movies

Despite all the wonderful, often better known, movie tap dancers, none compared to the extrodinary Nicholas Brothers. They were perhaps the gratest dancers in the hostory of American film. No screen dancers matched their amaxing aleticism and almost inconceivable elasiticticty. The brothes first appeared in black films in "Pie Pie Blackbird" diring 1932, with Hubie Blake and his orchestra. Appearances in mainstream Hollywood films followed by the time that they were adults. The first was Stormy Weather (1943). many dance experts believe that their film performances have never been matched. No less an authority than Fred Astaire told Fayad that his and his brothers performance in Stormy Weatherwas the greatest dance routine in film history. Because the brothers were black, however, their movie roles wer limited to dance routiens. They never appeared as butlers, but they were not given any real part in the film other than their dance scenes.

Controversy

A popular new stage show, "Noise Funk", has a whole new generation of dancers. The show tells the hoistory of black America through dance. Some of the great black dancers were depicted as "sell outs". Bill Bojangles Robinson is viciously parodied in the play. The Nicholas Brothers are also criticised, but not as sharply. The accusation is that their dancing was "flash and smile". The criticisms have considerable merit in attacking thhe artistic melieu in which these great dancers were forced to perform. There does not appear to be sensitivity for the achievements of these enormously talented Black performers. Fayad was hurt by the parody. It is easy to talk about how demeaning these parts were in the safty of modern America where pportunities of all kind exist. We also note that the parody of the Nicholas Brothers was a very pale reflection of the actual performances. We wonder if performers who can not begin to match the skills of the Nicholas Broyhers do not feel some embarassment in criticising them in parody. Other black dancers, like Gregory Hines, take a more balanced view, and believe that modern dancers are here in part because of the work of these legendary black performers.

Created: February 17, 2003
Last updated: February 17, 2003