Jimmy Slyde

American tap dancer from Atlanta, Georgia. World renowned tap dancer, especially famous for his innovative tap style mixed with jazz. Beginning tap lessons at the age of 12, by the 1940's he was performing regularly with the like of Duke Ellington & Count Basie. He moved to Paris in the 1960's when work dried up at home. In the 1980's he danced in the films The Cotton Club, Tap, and Round Midnight, as well as a number of television specials. Slyde continued performing and teaching throughout the United States late into his life. (October 2, 1927 – May 16, 2008)