The rhythmic tap dancer known as a hoofer represents a specific and highly musical tradition. This style is distinguished from conventional theatrical or Broadway tap, which often focuses on visual spectacle. Hoofing is fundamentally about sound and rhythmic complexity, treating the dancer’s feet as a percussion instrument.
Defining the Hoofer
A hoofer is a tap dancer whose artistic priority is the creation of intricate, percussive sound and complex rhythmic patterns. This style focuses on musicality, viewing the dancer as a musician playing an instrument with their feet. A hoofer’s performance emphasizes lower body movement and a grounded stance, prioritizing the audio experience over the aesthetic motion of the upper body. The goal is to build polyrhythms and syncopated phrases that contribute to the music.
The Historical Roots of Hoofing
The development of hoofing is deeply rooted in African American vernacular dance traditions of the early 20th century. This rhythmic style grew out of a fusion of African polyrhythmic music and movement with European step dances like the Irish jig and English clog dancing, which evolved into American forms like buck-and-wing and the Juba dance. The term “hoofer” emerged in the Vaudeville era, used by the dancers themselves to differentiate their grounded, improvisational style from the more balletic, codified forms of tap.
This style flourished in Black Vaudeville and minstrel shows, drawing on the cultural heritage that treated the feet as a source of complex acoustic rhythm. Hoofers embraced a connection to jazz and swing music, transforming the dance into an art form focused on sound and musical conversation. They used the term to distinguish themselves from dancers who prioritized visual elements and theatrical choreography.
What Distinguishes the Hoofing Style
The technical foundation of hoofing centers on a low center of gravity, which creates a powerful, grounded connection to the floor. Dancers employ full-foot contact, using stomps and stamps to create a fuller, deeper, and more resonant sound than is typically heard in Broadway tap. This technique allows for a wide dynamic range, with dancers utilizing shifts in body weight to create different depths and tones of sound.
Complex syncopation and polyrhythms are at the heart of the style, turning the dancer into a sophisticated acoustic percussionist. Improvisation is a core artistic element, requiring the hoofer to spontaneously jam with accompanying musicians. This emphasis on sound articulation often necessitates dancing on specific types of flooring and wearing shoes designed to maximize the clarity and volume of each tap.
Legendary Figures in Hoofing
The art of hoofing was popularized and evolved by extraordinary dancers who cemented its place in American culture. These figures pushed the technical and artistic boundaries of the rhythmic style. Their contributions span generations, from Vaudeville’s early days to the contemporary stage.
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was a pioneer who helped transition the style from Vaudeville circuits to the Broadway stage and film. Although he performed on the balls of his feet, he was a foundational figure in the rhythmic tradition, known for his clean, complex steps. Robinson’s legacy established the solo tap dancer as a performing artist.
The Nicholas Brothers
Fayard and Harold Nicholas were famous for their blend of rhythmic complexity and spectacular athleticism, a style often referred to as flash tap. They maintained the rhythmic integrity of hoofing while incorporating acrobatic stunts and leaps into their routines. Their performances in Hollywood films demonstrated the showmanship possible within the rhythmic tap tradition.
Gregory Hines
Gregory Hines was instrumental in revitalizing tap dance in the late 20th century, bringing a contemporary sensibility to the art form. He championed the rhythm tap style, focusing on the acoustic qualities of the feet and incorporating modern musical influences. Hines demonstrated that the focus of rhythm tap remains on the intricate work of the feet, paving the way for a new generation of hoofers.
Savion Glover
Savion Glover modernized the hoofing style and introduced it to a wider audience. His approach is characterized by aggressive, hard-hitting footwork that draws heavily on the tradition’s low-to-the-ground, percussive nature. His work emphasizes tap as a lifestyle, ensuring the preservation and evolution of the rhythmic form.
Hoofing in Contemporary Dance
Today, hoofing is taught and preserved through specialized dance companies, annual tap festivals, and dedicated educational programs. These institutions ensure that historical techniques, such as improvisation and polyrhythmic complexity, are passed down from master teachers to new students. Contemporary hoofers continue to innovate by integrating influences from hip-hop and funk, creating new rhythmic vocabularies while honoring the grounded, acoustic principles established by their predecessors.