Portera 1

Laura Portera

Scott Wise

Tap

14 February 2018

Honi Coles and The Nicholas Brothers

Charles “Honi” Coles was an American tap dancer and actor of the 1940’s. Born in 1911

Coles would tap around on his hometown streets. This led to his style being create of fast rhythm

tap in a small amount of space. This eventually brought Coles to New York City where he

traveled with three men to perform this style on very tiny platforms. By the time the 40’s came

around Coles was performing for various acts, one being with the Cab Calloway’s band. During

this act he met his dance partner Charles Atkins and they became Coles and Atkins, dancing

together for over nineteen years. Coles’ Broadway debut was in Gentleman Prefer Blondes, and

his career continued with the shows Bubbling Brown Sugar and My One and Only. Coles had a

long successful career, performing for over fifteen years. He acted and tapped up until his dying

day when he had a stroke during a performance of My One and Only at the age of 81.

Honi Coles influences thousands of dancers from his performance style. A pair of dancers

that adapted his technique was the Nicholas Brothers. Fayard and Harold Nicholas were a

stunning tap duo that adapted Coles’ fast moving technique and created a style of their own

called “flash dancing.” This style included fast rhythm tap with an added advanced acrobatic

element. The sons were raised by two musical parents, so rhythm was always something they

had in them. They gave their first performance at the ages of 11 and 18 and went on to have an

extremely successful career in dance. Their career included performing at the Cotton club for

two years, being in the featured film Pie Pie Blackbird and continuing to perform in tens of
 Portera 2

films, and making their Broadway debut in Ziegfeld Follies of 1936. The duo also won many

awards including the Ellie Award, the Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame Award and their own star

on the walk of fame.