Manchester's Band on the Wall offers mix of tap dancing and jazz

By Hannah Gradwell

Band on the Wall will be opening its doors to Manchester dance lovers on July 25^th with “Tap Jam”, giving tap dancers the chance to experiment with rhythm for an evening.

Rhythm tap is an American dance-style which co-ordinates the dance with traditionally, jazz music, but which can now be performed to all kinds of different rhythms, such as hip-hop.

Tap Jam, hosted by Tap Rhythm Project, gives tappers the chance to get back to the roots of the dance, and perform alongside a live jazz band.

The Tap Rhythm Project was founded by Jess Murray and is a social enterprise committed to raising the profile of rhythm tap dance throughout the UK.

The project hosts all kinds of activities from regular classes and workshops, to performances at street festivals and events such as Tap Jam.

The evening will start with special guest dancer Junior Laniyan, who will be coming from London to deliver an open workshop between 6.30 and 7.30pm.

The “Renegade Stage” is a taster session for anyone who hasn’t tapped before and shoes will be available from 7pm in the Picturehouse for anyone who fancies having a go.

The Michael Cretu Trio, an established Manchester jazz troupe, will provide the soundtrack for improvised dance, and live jazz accompaniment for the latest Tap Rhythm Project as they take to the stage. 

The Tap Rhythm Project in London put on a monthly Tap Jam, though the Manchester evening is less frequent.

The last Tap Jam at the Band on the Wall was held in March, with around 45 people turning up to take part.

Karen Wood, Tap Rhythm Project course tutor and committee chair, said: “More and more people come along each time. It’s a great evening, even if you just come along for the jazz music.”

Traditional “hoofer’s” such as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Jimmy Slyde, were old-style American tap dancers and, as Karen explained, were considered the pinnacle of the rhythm tap world.

“They had signature steps which can be taught and reproduced,” she said. “But the majority of rhythm tap is improvised.”

Karen has been dancing since she was four, and has always loved tap: “Probably because it was so noisy,” she said.

Anyone interested in trying something new, or any tap dancers looking to get back into the rhythm should check out the Tap Rhythm Project website, http://www.tapproject.com/ or drop by on the 25^th July to find out more.