This Day in Tap History - Fayard Nicholas

Stacie Strong | Oct 20, 2008 | 0

Fayard Nicholas - one of the most gifted tap dancers and choreographers who ever lived - was born on October 20, 1914.  He and his brother, Harold, revolutionized the art form, showing that flash and class could be unified in one complete whole.  Here's a clip from their most famous dance number, which appeared in the film "Stormy Weather."  (Fayard is the slightly taller and leaner of the two brothers.) Read on to learn more about Fayard and see some more clips of him in action.

Fayard Nicholas was a gracious, graceful and talented dancer who amazed everyone who ever came into contact with.  It is said that Gene Kelly believed that the Nicholas Brothers were the best dance team in Hollywood and fought to have them featured in Kelly's film (with Judy Garland), "The Pirate."  Here's a clip of Kelly and the Nicholas Brothers in action - notice how the normally fluid Kelly looks almost bulky and graceless next to the Nicholas Brothers.  We'll say this for him - he was a brave man to dance next to Fayard and Harold.

You can also check out this clip, which features Fayard doing some pretty effortless four-counted one-footed wings.  The commentary stops after a few seconds.

More can be learned about Fayard on the Nicholas Brothers website, at http://www.nicholasbrothers.com/index.htm.  You can also find out more at http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showIndividual&entity_id=3767&source_type=A and http://www.jitterbuzz.com/nicho.html.  The more you learn, the more you respect this great dancer.

Happy Birthday, Fayard!

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