SAVION GLOVER PREACHES GOSPEL OF TAP IN `VISIONS OF A BIBLE'

This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on December 27, 2005.

Dec. 27 (Bloomberg) -- The program for Savion Glover's new show at New York's Joyce Theater contains a 25-word biography of the legendary dancer that ends: ``Praise almighty God.''

Witnesses to the tireless rhythmic invention and dazzling technical prowess of this genius of tap may be roused to cry ``Amen.''

Glover, one of the greatest dancers of his generation in any genre, is the sole dancer in ``Visions of a Bible.'' He also has choreographed and directed the program and designed the lighting, which suggests sunset in an urban heaven.

Backed by gospel singer Lori Ann Hunter and the Otherz, the suave, witty jazz quartet that regularly accompanies him, the 32-year-old Glover appears in his familiar homeboy guise: dreadlocks, goatee, unbuttoned shirt over white singlet, beads and khakis.

His feet work miracles. They start out whispering multisyllabic secrets, then escalate by precise degrees to complex, full-force declarations.

The soft effects suggest a clock -- or perhaps an infernal machine -- ticking away in the night. The loudest barrages make you think of artillery fire, with personal rage behind its murderous force. In between, the tapping is simply the juiciest percussion music you're ever going to hear.

Child Prodigy

Every part of his foot has myriad ways of touching the floor. Often you can't see this because the speed blurs the image, but you can hear it.

At the start, Glover's concentration is so intense that he doesn't make eye contact with the audience. As the program progresses, he lifts his face and offers a sweet, guileless smile that recalls snapshots of him as a kid.

Glover is that rare performer -- a child prodigy who has grown up to be an adult prodigy.

Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, he was drumming before he could walk. By age 7, he was in tap class, where his instinct for rhythm was noticed immediately.

He made his Broadway debut at 11, taking over the lead in ``The Tap Dance Kid.'' Four years later, he was in ``Black and Blue,'' soaking up everything he could about tap and life from revered old hoofers in the cast like Jimmy Slyde and Lon Chaney.

TV, Movies

Then came ``Jelly's Last Jam'' (1991), where he played opposite Gregory Hines, who became his mentor. By 1995, he was calling the shots himself, choreographing and starring in ``Bring in `Da Noise, Bring in `Da Funk,'' which won four Tonys.

Glover uses varied forums to get broader recognition for his art form. Last year's ``Classical Savion'' featured him dancing to Bach and Vivaldi, as well as jazz. He's also appeared in movies, commercials and television, including five years as a regular on ``Sesame Street.''

Glover is a proselytizer for tap, a convincing street preacher practicing the laying on of feet.

© 2005 Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.