By Basilisa Alonso
Bronx Journal Staff Writer
Some say he is the greatest tap dancer in decades, if not the best.
Tony-award-winner Savion Glover has performed on some of the most prestigious stages in the world. On March 6 in the Bronx, his performance titled SoLo iN TiME was showcased in the Lehman Center for the Performance Arts. Although outside the rain was pouring, that did not put a damper on the show. Those who came out to see Glover were clearly excited to be there.
“He is one of the greatest worldwide,” said Bronx resident Louis Leysath, 46. Leysath said he always wanted to see Glover perform and with a show in the Bronx, he had no excuse not to see him this time. “The tap torch was handed down to Glover,” said Leysath. “He’s still keeping tap alive.”
People from all ages and from neighboring counties and cities all agreed on one thing: they expected a great show. “I know he’s a legend on the dance floor,” said Jeremy Rianaza, 27, a sound engineer from White Plains. Jared Chong, a fourth-grade student from Mount Vernon, never heard of Savion Glover before but was “super excited” for the show.
Glover was accompanied by fellow “hoofer” and Queens College professor, Marshall Davis Jr., vocalist and percussionist Carmen Estevez, Francisco Beccaro on bass and Gabriel Hermida on guitar.
Savion had his dreadlocks pulled back and was casually dressed in a charcoal grey tank, black pants and a navy button down. The program described the night’s performance, SoLo iN TiME, as an exploration of the relationship between flamenco music and tap dancing as a song. “Flamenco is a very passionate and emotional rhythmic dance,” Glover explained to the crowd.
Throughout the performance, many in the audience were tapping their feet and hands to beat. At the end of every segment, the concert hall erupted in applause. Glover’s unworldly rapid feet kept the audience engaged through the entire show, each powerful tap of his foot resonated in his body. Even as sweat beads glistened on his forehead, Glover did not stop to wipe them off. He seemed to be in his own world, unreceptive to any outside stimuli. Pat Drummond, 61, a teacher from Yonkers said she was amazed. “I can’t believe he danced for two straight hours!”
Drummond said the flamenco aspect of the show was a surprise. “I would never have expected him to choose that style, but it was a nice compliment to the dance,” she said. “Glover is so talented that he finds a correlation between all music styles.”
At the conclusion of the show, Glover and company received a standing ovation. Fans clamored to the stage to take his picture and touch the hand of a legend. Performing in the Bronx is “beautiful and festive,” Savion Glover told The Bronx Journal as he touched the many hands reaching out to him.
Drummond, a big fan of the late Gregory Hines, explained that with Hines, “[Tap] it’s about the listening to the beat of the feet as opposed to just looking at your feet.” This was evident in Glover’s performance, she said. “Glover proved that it’s more of a listening thing. I think he brought that out very clearly today. He is hands-down the best tap dancer alive!”
Meg Granfos, 21, a Queens College student agreed that Glover was “very inspiring.”
Another Queens College student, Carlyissa Matthews, called Glover “amazing,” adding “I knew it was going to be good.”
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