May 30, 1911 (Savannah, GA) – November 8, 2003 (New York, NY)
Raised in New York City, he began his tap dancing career as a member of the Five Blazers in the late 1920’s and danced at the Cotton Club in Harlem. The Five (sometimes Four) Blazers were famous for their creation of the “One Man Dance.” The Blazers worked with World’s Fair in 1933 with Earl Hines and tour with Duke Ellington until 1935. Phace later joined John Thomas and Andrew Jackson to be part of the Three Rockets, and worked with Bill Robinson, Shirley Temple, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Josephine Baker. He appeared in musicals including “Mikado in Swing,” and “Jump for Joy,” in films including “Big Broadcast of 1936,” “Irene,” “Cabin in the Sky (with Ethel Water),” “I Doodit (with Red Skelton,” “The Little Foxes (with Bette Davis),” “Stormy Weather (with Bill Robinson and Lena Horne),” and “The Cotton Club,” as well as in television shows such as “Kath Smith Hour,” “The Milton Berle Show,” “Chock Full O’Nuts Special,” “The Sammy Davis Jr. Show,” and “The Ed Sullivan Show.” He was the vice president of the Copasetics since its inception until his passing.