LeRoy Myers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
LeRoy Myers
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| Born | November 10, 1919 |
| Died | April 26, 2004 |
| Occupation | Tap dancer |
LeRoy Myers (born November 10, 1919 – died April 26, 2004) was an amazing African American tap dancer. He also helped manage a special group called the Copasetics. LeRoy was born in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He learned his cool tap moves right on the street corners there.
Contents
The Copasetics: A Tap Dance Family
LeRoy Myers and his friends started a group called the Copasetics. This happened after a famous tap dancer named Bill "Bojangles" Robinson passed away in 1949. The group's name came from Bill Robinson's favorite saying, "Everything is Copasetic." This means everything is just great or perfect!
What the Copasetics Did
The Copasetics was like a special club for black entertainers. They were super important in bringing tap dancing back into style. This happened mainly in the late 1970s and through the 1980s. LeRoy Myers was chosen as the very first president of this club.
Famous Members of the Copasetics
Many talented dancers and musicians were part of the original Copasetics. Some well-known names included Billy Strayhorn, Honi Coles, Cholly Atkins, and Peg Leg Bates. There were also many other amazing performers like James "Chuckles" Walker, Charles "Cookie" Cook, and Ernest Brown.
LeRoy Myers' Life in New York
In the 1930s, LeRoy Myers moved to New York City. He became the person who organized weekly tap dance jam sessions. These fun events happened at the Showmans Jazz Club in Harlem.
Awards and Recognition
LeRoy Myers was honored with the Honi Coles Reward in 2004. He was going to be celebrated at a big event called Tap Extravaganza 2004. Sadly, he passed away from cancer a month before the event, at 84 years old.
Remembering LeRoy Myers
People wanted to remember LeRoy Myers and all his great work.
LeRoy Myers Corner
On March 11, 2006, a street sign was put up in his honor. It's called the LeRoy Myers Corner. You can find it on the northeast corner of 122nd Street and Manhattan Avenue in New York City. LeRoy's only living brother, Walter Myers, helped unveil the sign. About 20 family members came from Philadelphia for the ceremony. Other famous dancers, like Harold "Stumpy" Cromer and Norma Miller, were also there.
Commemorative Plaque
LeRoy Myers was also an honorary board member of the Tap Legacy Foundation (TLF). On May 25, 2006, the TLF placed a special plaque at Showmans Jazz Club. This plaque honors LeRoy Myers' memory and his contributions to tap dance.
