Short bio: In 1996, Lafayette Harris, Jr and tap dancer/poet Joseph Webb met on the Broadway stage of the TONY award-winning musical "Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk". Webb, a dancer in the ensemble, and Harris, the keyboardist and Assistant Conductor worked together nightly, but also forged a friendship "in the pit". The camaraderie led to a collaboration called “Taps and Words, Meets Coltrane and Bird” a blend of jazz, funk, tap dancing, emceeing, and spoken word poetry. Decades went by, but in June 2021, the two reunited and put on a live stream show to celebrate Black Music Month. The event reflected the history of tap dance and the link to jazz, bebop, and modern music such as pop, rock, and hip hop. Guest drummer, Dwayne "Cook" Broadnax, a favorite of Savion Glover and other veteran tappers, was on hand to give them “that groove”. Now a series, Harris, and Webb often include reinterpretations of, "Naima" by John Coltrane, "Billy’s Bounce" by Charlie Parker, and their original piece, “Microphone Check 1212”. The energy during their shows is an immersive experience, for all audiences and music lovers.
Lafayette Harris, Jr, M. Mus, Pianist Joseph Webb, MFA, Tap Dancer and Spoken Word Artist Dwyane Cook Broadnax, Drummer
Instagram: @lafayetteharrisjr
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@rastapapi @cooknax