To all dancers, dance enthusiasts and tap dancers, join us in celebrating the Birthday of Eddie Rectortoday 12/25/1890, born in Orange NJ.
Eddie is one of the early Vaudevillians that contributed style and grace to the art of tap dance.
One of Rector’s great specialties was the Waltz Clog done to the tune called Bambalina, it is noted that he performed it with an unequaled great style and grace.
His contribution to Tap dance was his use of arm movements while traveling around the floor which was much different than the taper’s before him.
By 1921 Shuffle Along, many Black tap dancers would incorporate his style of tapping.
When it came to the Soft-Shoe and Sand Dance, Rector had no competition. He is said to have been the greatest soloist of all time who could and at times did dance better drunk than sober.
Billed as The Boy in Grey because one of his costumes was a Pearl Grey Top Hat, Tails, and a cape, even the spats were pearl grey.