The Nicholas Brothers became well known throughout Philadelphia and were hired for the radio show The Horn and Hardart Kiddie Hour, as well as several theater shows across the city. In 1932, the brothers became the featured act at the Cotton Club in Harlem. At the Cotton Club, Fayard and Harold worked very closely with the orchestras of several composers and bandleaders, including Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. While working at the club, the boys made their movie debut in the short film Pie, Pie Blackbird were they had an uncredited role dancing to Eubie Blake’s orchestra.
The Nicholas Brothers stopped performing at the Cotton Club in 1934 and they were invited by a producer to join the film Kid Millions. In 1936, the brothers made their Broadway debut in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 and then performed in the musical Babes in Arms in 1937. The choreographer of Babes in Arms, George Balanchine, helped them train and perfect stunts that lead to their success in later years. They had a unique style of dance that was a combination of tap, ballet, and acrobatics, which is often referred to a “flash dancing.” Balanchine’s training lead many people to think that the Nicholas Brothers were classically trained ballet dancers.
The Nicholas Brothers’ most known performance is in the film Stormy Weather in 1943. This routine has been called the greatest dance number in film history. The brothers danced to the song “Jumpin’ Jive” that was lead by the bandleader Cab Calloway. The routine is legendary for the brothers jumping over each other going down a staircase and landing in a split. Not only is this an iconic routine, the Nicholas Brothers filmed the dance in one take and it was unrehearsed. They were told by the choreographer to not rehearse and just dance, which was a relief to the brothers because they did not want to keep repeating rigorous routine all night.
Their careers continued through teaching, some of their students include Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Debbie Allen. They continued to tour around the world and be in films, concerts, Broadway shows, and appear on television.
Nicholas Brothers Performances:
Stormy Weather: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoMbeDhG9fU
The Pirate with Gene Kelley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiYf0L-QP_k
Sun Valley Serenade with Dorothy Dandridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTwy8ruyY40
1990 Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR9u7KzlMw4
The idea of a one-take, no rehearsal dance number is so cool. Its such a testament to their abilities that they were able to preform incredibly on the spot like that. The idea that they hated repeating the same routine just shows that they weren't performers as much as they were innovators. They didn't learn dance traditionally and it sounds like they're inner motivations really pushed them to advance what they had, not to repeat performances.
ReplyDeleteI first learned of the Nicholas Brothers a few years back when I happened across their cameo in Stormy Weather; to say I was stunned by their performance is an understatement. I had no idea that routine was unrehearsed! It takes an enormous level of talent and innovation to compose a routine like that on the fly, not to mention the years of training to hone those skills in the first place. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYes! I know these two! Sometimes it's hard to word the emotions dance evokes but with these men - what else could it be other than unalterable celebration. A lot of folks have an idea of division between talent and learned abilities. I think the Nicholas brothers are so far out of this world that we need a word above "talent." It's one item to listen or read a beautiful word but for some reason the item of a watchable and athletic dominion over a creative intention is an inevitable carousel.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool to read about self-taught creatives that become big stars in their fields. I really enjoyed hearing about their innovative take on the world of tap. Thanks Viktoria!
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