Savion Glover

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Lore & Background

Savion Glover was born the youngest of three sons to a white father who left before his birth and a black mother. His great-grandfather on his mother's side, Dick Lundy, was a shortstop in the Negro leagues and managed eleven Negro League baseball teams, including the Newark Eagles. His grandfather, Bill Lewis, was a big band pianist and vocalist. His grandmother, Anna Lundy Lewis, was the minister of music at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey; she played for Whitney Houston and first noticed Glover's musical talent when she held him and hummed rhythms, and he smiled and joined along. Glover graduated from Newark Arts High School in 1991. Glover describes his style as 'young and funk,' saying funk is 'anything that gets one's head on beat. It is riding with the rhythm. It is a pulse that keeps one rolling with the beat.' Gregory Hines, one of his tap teachers, stated that 'Savion is possibly the best tap dancer that ever lived.' Glover often started pieces with old school moves from famous tappers, working into his own style—Hines called it paying homage. When Honi Coles died, Glover performed at his memorial service, finishing with a Coles move: a backflip into a split from standing position, then getting up without using his hands. Glover rarely did this move because it wasn't his style, but did it to keep Coles' style alive. Henry LeTang called Glover 'the Sponge' because he learned very quickly. Many legendary tappers taught Glover, including LeTang, the Hines brothers, Jimmy Slyde, Dianne Walker, Chuck Green, Lon Chaney (Isaiah Chaneyfield), Honi Coles, Sammy Davis Jr., Buster Brown, Howard Sims, Arthur Duncan, and Leonard Reed. Glover has been teaching tap since age 14. He created Real Tap Skills and started HooFeRz Club School for Tap in Newark. At age seven, he drummed in a group called Three Plus One, where he demanded to dance while playing the drum. He dances hard and loud, teaching students how to 'hit.' His Broadway credits include 'The Tap Dance Kid' (1985), his debut at age 11; 'Black and Blue' (1989), for which he became one of the youngest Tony nominees; 'Jelly's Last Jam' (1992), where he played Young Jelly and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award; and 'Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk' (1996), which he choreographed and performed, earning Tony nominations for Actor and Choreography. He choreographed 'Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed' (2016), nominated for a Tony for Best Choreography and a Drama Desk Award. His film work includes 'Tap' (1989), 'Bamboozled' (2000), and choreography and motion capture for 'Happy Feet' (2006) and 'Happy Feet 2' (2011).

Reader's Guide

Savion Glover's significance lies in his role as a bridge between classic tap traditions and contemporary expression. He absorbed techniques from a wide range of legendary tappers—including Gregory Hines, Honi Coles, and Sammy Davis Jr.—and synthesized them into a personal style he calls 'young and funk.' His choreography for 'Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk' was hailed by The New York Times as 'as dance, as musical, as theater, as art, as history and entertainment' without limits. Glover also emphasized teaching, founding the HooFeRz Club School for Tap and developing Real Tap Skills. His work in film, television, and live performance has kept tap dance visible in popular culture. By insisting on preserving the styles of earlier dancers while innovating, he has ensured that tap remains a living, evolving art form. His influence extends to younger generations of dancers who study his technique and approach to rhythm and expression.

Did You Know?

• Glover's great-grandfather on his mother's side, Dick Lundy, was a shortstop in the Negro leagues and managed eleven Negro League baseball teams, including the Newark Eagles.
• At age 15, Glover became one of the youngest performers ever nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in 'Black and Blue' (1989).
• Henry LeTang called Glover 'the Sponge' because he learned very quickly with everything thrown at him.
• Glover performed a backflip into a split from standing position at Honi Coles' memorial service, a move he rarely did because it wasn't his style, but did to keep Coles' style alive.
• Glover has been teaching tap since he was 14 years old.