Savion Glover

Dancer and choreographer Savion Glover and Judith Jamison, Artistic Director Emerita of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on upcoming performances and "Shuffle Along" on Broadway. 

Savion Glover talks about his dance company, the legacy of tap dancing, and about “Stepz,” his new show at The Joyce Theater through July 6.

Tap dancer and choreographer Savion Glover was on the Leonard Lopate Show recently. He talked to guesthost Jonathan Capehart about his latest show, "Stepz," and he also told us about some of his favorite things!

Tony Award-winning tap dancer and choreographer Savion Glover joined us in The Greene Space to talk tap, dance and "The Rhythm of Freedom" — part of our ongoing EMANCIPATION 150 series.

During their conversation, host and journalist Charisse Jones noted records of African slaves using tap as a form of communication, having had their drums — what they previously used to communicate —  taken away by slave owners. Through the rhythm of their feet, they expressed disapproval, defiance, even mockery of their owners. Jones asked Glover how he saw tap being used as a form of expression today.

"I try to produce or evoke...feelings of a state of meditation, feelings of prayer," Savion said. "There are sounds that we can make that will make you cry...or think. It becomes more audial than visual. A lot of times the visual can be distracting."

Here he performs a nearly 15-minute tap improvisation, a form through which he says he best expresses himself. "This is not a routine," he said, asking the audience not to watch him, but to instead hear his feet. "You should be listening for the music, you should be listening to your soul."

Tony Award-winning hoofer Savion Glover’s new show, “The Evidence,” is an exploration of the sound heard from the music of tap dance. He’s performing at the BB King Blues Club (237 West 42 St) on Thursday, July 31 at 8 pm. For more info and tickets, go here.