Tap Legacy Foundation, Inc.

Preserving and Advancing the Art of Tap Dance.

1982

[Daily Post] Arthur Duncan

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Dr. Arthur Duncan, A Tap Master and National treasure.Tap dancing to Blue Skies on the Lawrence Welk Show.

As a young man he left college to pursue a career in show business as a tap dancer and singer, he toured with the Jimmy Rodgers Show.

He was discovered by Sam Lutz, Lawrence Welk’s personal manager, invited to appear as a guest on the show, Lawrence Welk made him part of his Musical Family.

Arthur was the first African American performer on the popular Lawrence Welk Show, he danced and sang on the show from 1964 to the show’s finale in 1982.

You can still find Dr. Duncan teaching at Tap Festivals around the country and the world.

[Daily Post] Arthur Duncan

By

Arthur Duncan dropped out of college to pursue a career in show business, at which he garnered success as a tap dancer and singer.

He toured with the Jimmy Rodgers Show.

After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk’s personal manager, Sam Lutz. Appearing as a guest on the show, Welk offered Duncan a permanent spot as a member of his musical family.

Arthur Duncan gained fame as the first African American performer on the popular Lawrence Welk Show.

Duncan danced and sang on the show from 1964 to the show’s finale in 1982.

Sit back and enjoy this clip with Arthur Duncan on taps and Larry Hooper on Piano during the Lawrence Welk TV Show – 1979,

watch how close to that piano edge he slides!!!!

[Daily Post] Leon Collins

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Leon Collins, a Tap Master and National Treasure, born in Chicago, Illinois.

His career in tap Dancing began at an early age and continued professionally until the 1960’s when tap dancing began to fade.

As Tap dance began its revival in the  late 1970’s, with the urging of friends like Tina Pratt and Stanley Brown, Collins came out of retirement and began to teach.
He opened a dance studio in 1976 with Mae Arnette.

The Star Steps Studio was located in the Roxbury, a section of Boston, MA. The studio moved to Brookline in 1982 with the formation of a new partnership between Leon and three of his students, Clara Brosnaham CB Hetherington, Dianne Walker and Pamela Raff, they opened the Leon Collins Dance Studio Inc.

Leon Collins and Co. performed mainly in the New England area from 1982 until his untimely death in 1985.

Leon was best known for his work with jazz and bebop and in his latter years his work with classical music, in particular, his rendition of Flight of the Bumblebee which became his signature tune. The Clip.
Sit back, watch and listen to this Master at work and play…WOW!!!

[Daily Post] Arthur Duncan

By

Duncan Left college to pursue a career in show business as a tap dancer and singer, toured with the Jimmy Rodgers Show.

He was Discovered by Sam Lutz Lawrence Welk’s personal manager.

Appeared as a guest on the show, Lawrence Welk made him part of his musical family.

He was the first African American performer on the popular Lawrence Welk Show.

Duncan danced and sang on the show from 1964 to the show’s finale in 1982.

The Clip is from the Lawrence Welk show with Duncan tap dancing to Blue Skies.

[Daily Post] Arthur Duncan

By

Arthur Duncan left Pasadena City College and studying pharmacy to pursue a show business career.

Toured with the Jimmy Rodgers Show. After several years performing in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk’s personal manager, Sam Lutz.

Arthur Appeared as a guest on the show, Welk offered him a permanent spot – 18 years – as a member of his Musical Family. Enjoy the Rhythmic Musicality and Clarity.

The clip is of Dr. Arthur Duncan in Cute with Frank Scott on Piano from a 1965 episode of the Lawrence Welk Show which aired from 1964 – 1982.

[Daily Post] Arthur Duncan, Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel

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Arthur Duncan was born in Pasadena, California, where he started his college education in the study of pharmacy, but left school soon after to pursue a career in show business, at which he garnered success as a tap dancer and singer.

He toured with the Jimmy Rodgers Show. After several years of appearances in Europe, Duncan was discovered by Lawrence Welk’s personal manager, Sam Lutz. After appearing as a guest on the show, Lawrence Welk offered Duncan a permanent spot as a member of his musical family.

Arthur Duncan gained fame as the first African American performer on the popular Lawrence Welk Show. Duncan danced and sang on the show from 1964 to the show’s finale in 1982.

Besides his solo number on the show, he teamed up with Bobby Burgess and Jack Imel in performing popular dance routines. Check the Clip.