Commentaire
"A great source of reference for tap dance culture and history, Tap Dancing America accumulâtes stories and articles in attempts to capture the essence of this elusive oral tradition. An important read. I highly recommend it!" Jason Samuels Smith, tap dancer, director, and Emmy Award-winning choreographer.
"With breath that is bated we ail have awaited the arrivai of this book. Spanning the gaps and the taps across the âges and the stages of time, covering the various aspects of the art of this American dance form, Ms. Valis Hill has guided us through a définitive full-of-life exploration into the world of Terpsichore. It's a hard book to put down and calls out to you with its inclusion and accuracy whether it be about the dance patterns, the Personal or the historical dates and times. With his love of dance and dancers, my grandfather would have been most proud to be included within these pages."
Mercedes Ellington, Président and CEO of The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts.
Tap Dancing America casts new light on the hurly-burly I of class, culture, race, and gender that fused into one of America's most original and popular arts. An indispensable resource for anyone interested in American culture." Sali Ann Kriegsman, author of Modem Dance in America: The Bennington Years
"Comprehensive and compelling,Tap Dancing America places race, gender, individual innovation, and rhythm at the center of American dance history. Carefully researched and eminently readable, this landmark
volume will inspire générations to explore a legacy of tap dancing as corporeal evidence of Afro-lrish fusion. Constance Valis Hill brings intellectual breadth and an abiding love for the dance and its dancers to this invaluable and définitive project."
Thomas F. DeFrantz, Professor of Music and Theater Arts, MIT, and author of Dancing Révélations: A/vin Ailey's Embodiment of African American Culture