Jason Samuels Smith: A Brief Biography

Historically, tap dancing has been full of colorful characters who keep the public's interest alive in the art form. From dancers such as Master Juba (William Henry Lane) to Zip Coon to Bill "Bojangles" Robinson to more recent dancers such as Savion Glover, tap dancers have always had a way of creating interesting and entertaining stage personalities for themselves. Jason Samuels Smith is no exception.

Born to parents who were both professional jazz dancers and teachers, Jason Samuels Smith originally only wanted to be a drummer. After his sister started taking a tap dancing classes, however, he too started to learn the art of tapping and his decision to stick with tapping has led to his success today. With his hair rolled into wild dread locks, Mr. Samuels Smith has added his powerful stage personality to the latest form of tap-sometimes referred to as either rhythm tapping or "power tap." Although he has decided to not take on a colorful stage name like many tappers of previous generations, Jason Samuels Smith's own style of tap dancing is attractive enough to keep an audience at any performance of his. Described as "rhythmic brilliance" and "an all out sensation" by both the Chicago Times and the Chicago Daily Sun, Jason Samuels Smith's contributions to the world of tap dancing is undeniable.

A relatively young tap dancer, Jason Samuels Smith first started receiving recognition as an up-and-coming star in the world of tap dancing at the age of fifteen when he was cast as both a principal dancer and the understudy to the lead role in the Broadway performance of Bring in Da' Noise, Bring in Da' Funk, a musical performance focused on telling the story a black history (from slavery to the present) through tap dancing. Samuels Smith stayed with the show for three years, eventually performing the lead role in several performances. He credits his role in the musical as fueling his dream to actually be a professional tap dancer, and the musical received many awards, such as "Best Choreography." Shortly after his performance in the musical, Jason Samuels Smith was recruited by the choreographer of the show, Savion Glover, to be a part of Glover's own tap dancing group, the NYOTs (Not Your Ordinary Tappers).

After establishing himself as a name in the world of tap dancing, Jason Samuels Smith eventually left Savion Glover's dance troupe and formed his own company of tappers called A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It). From there, his career continued to soar in shows across America, including guest performances at the White House and on the reality television program So You Think You Can Dance. His work extended internationally also, including performances in Amsterdam and Brazil. Currently he is working with Kathak Master Pandit Chitresh Das performing "India Jazz Suites" worldwide.

However, instead of just sticking to regular performances of tap dancing, Jason Samuels Smith has continued to push towards making tap dancing a more well-known art form through his choreography and various tap projects. In 2003 he directed and organized the first ever Las Angeles Tap Festival, earning him a certificate of appreciation from the city of Las Angeles. Additionally, Samuels Smith has performed in a wide range of shows with different companies such asCurrents: Turned on Tap at the Queen Elizabeth Hall - South Bank in London, the 2002-2003 Harlem Jazz Dance Festivals, and TAAP: The Art and Appreciation of Percussion. Jason Samuels Smith also was awarded the Ivy of Education from Brainerd Institute for his dedication to preserve and promote the art of tap dancing.

While some tap dancers tend to migrate towards flashier costumes and sets, Mr. Samuels Smith's primary style of dress seems to be focused on keeping tap dancing friendly towards everyone, with a focus on more a much more casual wardrobe. Many of his videoed performances feature him wearing a simple wife beater undershirt and loose workout style pants. With this relaxed apparel and wildly flowing hair, Jason Samuels Smith keeps tap dancing as an entertaining art for a younger generation. However, his entire style of dress is not limited to casual attire; he dresses up considerably for other performances, adding a flashier element to his creative choreography.

Despite his fame, Jason Samuels Smith has remained fairly humble, as attested to by his many performances honoring his predecessors in the world of tap. He also has been very willing to work together with various stars of tap, seeing them as performance partners instead of competitors. He performed and choreographed much of "Thank You Gregory: A Tribute to the Legends of Tap," a tribute to the late Gregory Hine and also danced in "Sammy ," a tribute to the life of Sammy Davis Jr. Jason Samuels Smith has also received recognition for some of his more humanitarian work, including the 2007 Gregory Hines Humanitarian Award; he also was awarded an Emmy nomination and an American Choreography Award for choreographing the opening number on Jerry Lewis' 2003 Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.

Perhaps what separates Jason Samuels Smith from other tap dancers is his work in different multi-media performances, namely several music videos and the short film Tap Heat. His tap dancing is also showcased in music video performances such as in Outkast's Idlewild. The short film Tap Heat, however, really shows much of Samuels Smith's heart for tap dancing as both an art film and a means of communication. Filmed in Las Angeles, the short film contains an entire story line without any verbal dialogue. Instead, Jason Samuels Smith stars as one of the leading roles during the film which uses tap dancing choreography and body language as the primary means of communication. This 2004 film directed by Dean Hargrove showcases the "conflict" between Samuels Smith (who plays the role of a wild, young tap dancer) and Arthur Duncan, a refined elderly tap dancer who despises the younger's style of tap dancing. The fourteen minute film begins with scenes of Jason Samuels Smith tap drawing out his tap shoes (as a mock-imitation of how characters would usually draw a pistol in any other film) and tapping around inner city Las Angeles. Eventually the plot line escalates into a sort of tap battle between Samuels Smith and Duncan, which gives way to a finale number where the entire cast dances together in a blend of Duncan's refined style and Jason Samuels Smith's urban funk style. The entire film portrays what much of the heart behind tap dancing can be-communication through beats from the feet.

Another unique element to Jason Samuels Smith's life is probably strongly influenced by his jazz dancer parents and his earlier ambitions of being a professional drummer. In addition to tap dancing, Samuels Smith has a second career as the founder of JaJa Productions Band, a musical ground that records and performs original jazz-influenced hip hop music. Their beats are extremely unique and clearly show his musical talent that is evidenced in his tap choreography.

Today, Jason Samuels Smith continues to drive forward the world of modern tap dancing. He is a well established director, choreographer, and dancer. Instead of being uppity about his status as a celebrity tap dancer, he has devoted himself to the furthering of society's enjoyment of tap dancing. His fresh choreography is entertaining and his willingness to participate in humanitarian projects is inspiring. Overall, Jason Samuels Smith will most likely continue to contribute greatly to tap dancing and will someday be considered a legend of tap dancing himself.