Sportin' Life: John W. Bubbles, an American Classic Harker Brian
Sportin' Life: John W. Bubbles, an American Classic Harker Brian John W. A groundbreaking tap dancer, he provided inspiration to Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, and the Nicholas Brothers. Bubbles was…
Specifikacia Sportin' Life: John W. Bubbles, an American Classic Harker Brian
Sportin' Life: John W. Bubbles, an American Classic Harker Brian
John W. A groundbreaking tap dancer, he provided inspiration to Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, and the Nicholas Brothers. Bubbles was the ultimate song-and-dance man.
Most memorably, in the role of Sportin' Life he stole the show in the original production of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, in the process crafting a devilish alter ego that would follow him through life. His vaudeville team Buck and Bubbles captivated theater audiences for more than thirty years. Coming of age with the great jazz musicians, he shared countless stages with the likes of Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Ella Fitzgerald.
Some of his disciples believed his rhythmic ideas had a formative impact on jazz itself. In later years he made a comeback as a TV personality, revving up the talk shows of Steve Allen and Johnny Carson and playing comic foil to Bob Hope, Judy Garland, and Lucille Ball. Finally, after a