Savion Glover Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Savion Glover
Glover in 2007
Born	(1973-11-19) November 19, 1973 (age 51) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	Dancer actor choreographer
Years active	1985–present

Savion Glover is an amazing American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer, born on November 19, 1973. He is famous for his powerful and unique tap dancing style. Many people consider him one of the greatest tap dancers of all time.

Early Life and Family Roots

Savion Glover grew up in Newark, New Jersey. He was the youngest of three sons. His family had a strong connection to music and sports.

His great-grandfather, Dick Lundy, was a talented baseball player in the Negro leagues. He even managed many baseball teams, including the Newark Eagles. Savion's grandfather, Bill Lewis, was a gifted pianist and singer in big bands.

His grandmother, Anna Lundy Lewis, was the music director at New Hope Baptist Church. She played for famous singers like Whitney Houston when they sang in the gospel choir. She was the first person to notice Savion's musical talent. She once hummed rhythms to him, and he smiled and joined in. Savion graduated from Newark Arts High School in 1991.

Savion's Unique Tap Dance Style

Savion Glover describes his tap dancing style as "young and funk." He says "funk" is anything that makes your head move to the beat. It's about riding the rhythm and feeling a pulse that keeps you moving.

A legendary tap dancer named Gregory Hines was one of Savion's teachers. Hines once said that Savion might be "the best tap dancer that ever lived." Savion often starts his dances with old-school moves from famous tap dancers. Then, he adds his own unique style. This is his way of showing respect to the dancers who came before him.

When another tap legend, Honi Coles, passed away, Savion performed at his memorial service. He ended his dance with a famous Coles move: a backflip into a split, then standing up without using his hands. Savion rarely does this move because it's not his usual style. But he did it to keep Coles's style alive. He feels it's his job to keep these classic styles going.

Many famous tap dancers taught Savion, including Henry LeTang, the Hines brothers, Jimmy Slyde, Dianne Walker, Chuck Green, and Sammy Davis Jr.. LeTang even called Savion "the Sponge" because he learned new things so quickly.

Teaching Tap Dance

Savion started teaching tap dancing when he was just 14 years old. He created a program called Real Tap Skills. He also started the HooFeRz Club School for Tap in Newark, New Jersey.

When he was seven, Savion played drums in a group called Three Plus One. Even then, he insisted on dancing while he played the drums! Savion dances with a "heavy foot," meaning his steps are strong and loud. He teaches his students how to "hit," which means expressing themselves and completing a tap sequence with power.

Choreography: Creating Dances

When Savion creates a dance, he often improvises. This means he makes up the steps as he goes along. He listens for new sounds from different parts of the stage. He explains, "I'm feelin' the stage for sounds. You might find a spot on it that gives you that bass; you might find a spot on the floor that gives you that dead type tom-tom sound."

George C. Wolfe, a director, said that Savion is an amazing artist because he truly enjoys what he does. He can stay joyful while also showing complex feelings.

Famous Dances Savion Created

Glover's signature, with shoe taps, in front of the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk (a famous Broadway musical)
Savion Glover's Nu York (an ABC TV special)
The opening for ABC's Monday Night Football
Dances for The Rat Pack (an HBO movie)
He started a dance company called NYOTs (Not Your Ordinary Tappers).
Savion Glover's Stomp, Slide, and Swing: In Performances in the Whitehouse for PBS, performed for President Clinton.
Savion Glover/Downtown: Live Communication
Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed

One tap step that Savion performed in Barbra Streisand's Timeless show is now informally called the "Savion Glover Timestep" by many tap dancers!

Broadway Shows and Musicals

Savion Glover has starred in and choreographed many successful Broadway shows.

The Tap Dance Kid (1985)

Savion made his Broadway debut at age 11 in The Tap Dance Kid. He was a replacement in the show, which was based on a book called Nobody's Family is Going to Change. Even though reviews for the show were mixed, it was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Black and Blue (1989)

When he was 15, Savion performed in Black and Blue. For this role, he became one of the youngest performers ever nominated for a Tony Award.

Jelly's Last Jam (1992)

In Jelly's Last Jam, Savion played "Young Jelly." The tap dancing was created by Ted Levy and Gregory Hines, who also starred in the show. Savion was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his performance.

Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk (1996)

Savion not only performed in this musical but also choreographed it. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Actor in a Musical and for Choreography. The New York Times praised the show, saying it was amazing as dance, musical, theater, art, history, and entertainment.

Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed (2016)

Savion choreographed this musical, which opened in 2016. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Choreography and a Drama Desk Award for his work on the show.

Film and Television Appearances

Savion Glover has brought his amazing talent to both movies and TV shows.

Film

1989 - Tap, playing the character Louis.
2000 - Bamboozled, as Manray/Mantan.
2006 - Happy Feet, he did the choreography and motion capture for the penguin "Mumble."
2011 - Happy Feet 2, again doing choreography for "Mumble."

Television

Sesame Street (1990–95) - He appeared on this popular children's show.
Dance in America: Tap!
The Kennedy Center Honors
Academy Awards Ceremony (1996) - He performed a tribute for actor Tom Hanks.
The Rat Pack (1998 HBO TV movie) - He was the choreographer for this film.
Bojangles (2001 Showtime TV movie)
So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation (2016) - He was a choreographer on this dance competition show.

TV Specials

1989 - Tap Dance in America (PBS)
1993 - Sesame Street Stays Up Late! (PBS)
1998 - Slide and Swing with Savion Glover (PBS)
1998 - Savion Glover's Nu York (ABC) - He was the host, executive producer, and choreographer.

Stage Performances and Tours

Savion has performed in many live shows and toured around the world.

Stage Appearances

1984 - The Tap Dance Kid (Broadway debut)
1989–91 - Black and Blue (Broadway)
1992–93 - Jelly's Last Jam (Broadway)
1996–97 - Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk (Broadway)

Tours

Foot Notes, The Concert (toured U.S. cities)
Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk (toured U.S. and international cities)
Stepz (toured U.S. cities and London)

Awards and Recognition

Savion Glover has received many important awards for his incredible talent.

1996 - Tony Award for Best Choreography for Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk
1992 - Dance Magazine Award for choreography. This made him the youngest person ever to receive this award from the National Endowment for the Arts (N.E.A.).

Savion Glover facts for kids

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