Classical music is re-interpreted all the time, sometimes with unexpected results. Mr. Glover's feet are as versatile as any instrument—how did you think tonight's performance worked with the music? What did you think of Glover's tapping accompanied by the chamber orchestra as compared to the jazz ensemble, The Otherz?
toe, re, mi, sole, fa la ti do. i'm jellin like a felon.
I was very disappointed with the performance. The amplification of what sounded like feet slamming on wood board took away any musical enjoyment. It was often very difficult to hear the music playing, much less any subtleties or finesse. The entire concept of tap dancing to classical music wore thin after the first two numbers. The last piece, Stars & Stripes Forever (For Now) was incomprehensible. What was the purpose of having a drummer when Mr. Glover's dancing itself was the percussion?
Thoroughly enjoyed Classical Savion. The performance was inventive and audacious and the musicians were top notch. Savion Glover has to be one of the most creative dancers I've ever seen; he has the soul of a hip-hop, avant garde jazz musician. There were some uneven moments, which is to be expected given the level of improvisation, but overall, it was a captivating performance.
Savion should come back every season! What incredible talent, chops, finesse, vision, soul. As the last post said, yes there were uneven spots. Who cares! I didn't come to see a polished museum piece - leave that to the orchestra - I came to be wowed. I was.
Why have a drummer when Savion's dancing was the percussion, the other asks? What the hell's wrong with two percussionists? It was good enough for the Doobie Brothers and Fleetwood Mac, why not a young blood from Newark? Come to think of it, you may ask why Stravinsky has a timpanist in Rite of Spring when everyone else is playing percussion at some time, on some level. Or, why does any Brazilian band worth its rubber have multiple percussionists playing poly rhythms? Answer... because it gets you in the craw, it gets your juices flowing and it is fun! Lighten up!
Solomon Burke and Savion Glover. Keep 'em coming Kimmel.