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The Nicholas BrothersAfrican American dancer duo
Country:
 USA |
Content:
Biography of the Nicholas Brothers
The Nicholas Brothers were a renowned African American dance duo, consisting of Fayard Nicholas (1914-2006) and Harold Nicholas (1921-2000). Their acrobatic skills, high artistry, and desire for innovation earned them the reputation as the greatest tap dancers of their time. They grew up surrounded by vaudeville performances and, as adults, became stars of jazz projects, particularly popular during the height of the Harlem Renaissance. The Nicholas Brothers found success on stage, in films, and on television.
Early Life and Influences
Fayard Antonio Nicholas was born on October 20, 1914, in Mobile, Alabama, while Harold Lloyd Nicholas was born on March 17, 1921, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The brothers spent their childhood in Philadelphia, growing up in a family of musicians who played in their own band at the old Standard Theater. Their mother played the piano, and their father played the drums. By the age of three, Fayard was already sitting in the front row of the theater, observing his parents' work. By the time he was ten, he had seen almost all the greatest African American vaudeville acts, including legends of the time such as Alice Whitman, Willie Bryant, and Bill Robinson.
It should be noted that neither Fayard nor Harold received formal dance training. After a while, the brothers began performing themselves and were welcomed into the legendary Harlem club, the Cotton Club. Their debut took place in 1932 when Harold was eleven and Fayard was eighteen. The Nicholas Brothers were the only African Americans allowed to interact with white patrons of the establishment. Their incredible blend of tap, ballet, and acrobatics, often referred to as "flash dancing," had an impact that few others could match. The Nicholas Brothers captivated the hearts of their audience.
Career and Legacy
By the 1940s, the Nicholas Brothers were working in Hollywood, and for decades they engaged in film work, nightclub performances, concerts, Broadway shows, and television appearances. Their activities were not limited to the United States alone; they regularly toured Latin America, Africa, and Europe. The brothers did not keep their craft a secret and even held masterclasses at Harvard and Radcliffe. Graduates of their courses include Debbie Allen, Janet Jackson, and the internationally renowned Michael Jackson, Janet's brother. Many contemporary tap masters either performed with the Nicholas Brothers or learned from them, including Diana Walker, Sam Weber, Lane Alexander, Mark Mendonca, Terry Brock, 'Colburn Kids Tap/L.A', 'Channing Cook Holmes', Chris Baker, Artis Brienco, Chester Whitmore, Tobias Tak, Carol Zee, and Steve Zee.
Harold passed away on July 3, 2000, following a minor surgical operation that resulted in a heart attack. Fayard died on January 24, 2006, due to pneumonia, a complication following a stroke. Fayard was married three times during his lifetime. His first marriage to Geraldine Pate ended in 1942, and they had two sons together, Tony and Paul. He married Barbara January Nicholas in 1967, and they had one child together. After Barbara's death in 1998, Fayard married Katherine Hopkins in 2000, but this marriage ended with his own passing. Harold, too, was married three times. His first marriage to actress Dorothy Dandridge in 1942 was the most famous. They married in 1942 and divorced nine years later in 1951. They had one child together, a daughter named Harolyn Nicholas. Sadly, Harolyn suffered severe brain damage from birth and was unable to speak or recognize her parents.
