The History of Tap Dancing

A brief introduction to the history and evolution of the art of tap dancing. Also includes a collection of articles and other resources with more detailed information. See also more general information About Tap Dancing and other Tap Dancing Resources.

Articles, Podcasts, and Books

Tap Dance in America: A Short History
Article by Constance Valis Hill published on the Web site of the United States Library of Congress. Sections of the article include Glover and Dunn: A Contest of Beat and Feet, An American Genre, 1600's and 1700's: Jig and Gioube, Jigging and Juba, Clog and Hornpipe, The Minstrel Show, The Reconstruction, Turn of the Century, Women in Tap, Lotta Crabtree, Ada Overton Walker, 1920's and 1930's: Broadway Jazz, Bill Robinson and John Bubbles, Cora LaRedd, 1930's and 1940's: Tap on Film, Eleanor Powell, Jeni LeGon, Ann Miller, The Class Act, 1950's: Tap in Decline, 1960's and 1970's: A Slow Awakening, Modern Women of the Tap Resurgence, Brenda Bufalino, Jane Goldberg, Lynn Dally and Jazz Tap Ensemble, Dianne Walker, 1980's: The Renaissance, Savion Glover, Sole Sisters, 1990's: Contemporary Afro-Irish Traditions, The Millennium, Tap International, Tapage's Morango: Almost a Tango, Women in Tap Conference, and Embracing Tradition, Forging Change.

Britannica: History of Tap Dancing
Article by Rusty Frank published on the "Britannica Dot Com" Web Site. Sections of the article include Early History, Vaudeville, Nightclubs, Film, Television and Las Vegas, and Rebirth.

All About Tap Dance: Footnotes from Hoofer History
Tap dancing history article by Vance Holmes. Published on the "Theatre Dance Dot Com" Web site. Sections and topics of the article include William Henry Lane, Levee Dancers, Shuffle Dance style, Clog Dancer John Diamond, Hornpipe, Lancashire Clog, Soft Shoe, Sand Dance, Clog Dancer Barney Williams, Ned Wayburn's Minstrel Misses, Buck and Wing Dancing, King Rastus Brown, Ring Shout, Cakewalk, Shim Sham Shimmy, Black Bottom, and Flamenco Dancing.

From Master Juba to Happy Feet
The full title of this Highbrow Magazine article by Beth Kaiserman is: "From Master Juba to Happy Feet: A Brief History of Tap Dancing". Sections of the article include The Birth of Tap, Other Influences, Broadway Tap vs. Jazz Tap, and Tapping Into the Future.

Master Juba Dot Com
Web site focused on 1800's tap dancer William Henry Lane whose stage name was "Master Juba". Sections of the article include Minstrel Shows, The Juba Dance, and Master Juba's fame, fortune, and early death at age 27.
- Web Site Article: Master Juba: The Inventor of Tap Dancing
- Audio Podcast: Master Juba: The Inventor of Tap Dancing

Tap History Books at Amazon (Ads)
- Brotherhood In Rhythm: The Nicholas Brothers
- Tap Dancing America: A Cultural History
- Tap Roots: The Early History of Tap Dancing
- TAP! The Greatest Tap Dance Stars and Their Stories 1900-1955
- What the Eye Hears: A History of Tap Dancing