Jason Samuels Smith joined
the Broadway cast of Bring in DaNoise, Bring in DaFunk at the
age of 15, performing as a principal dancer and understudy to the
leading role. Shortly after, his career quickly blossomedhe performed
at the White House for the President of the United States,
choreographed as well as acted in several of Debbie Allens theatrical
and televised productions, and toured internationally with Savion
Glovers dance group N.Y.O.Ts (Not Your Ordinary Tappers).
For his contributions to tap dance, Jason was awarded a
2004 Emmy Award for Outstanding
Choreography and
nominated for an
American Choreography Award for
Outstanding Chorography in
the opening number of the Jerry Lewis/MDA Telethon 2003. Jason
received a Proclamation declaring April 23rd Jason Samuels
Day from the City of Shreveport, Louisiana in 2004 and was also
awarded the Ivy of Education from Brainerd Institute for his
continuous efforts to preserve and promote the art form of Tap Dance.
As a solo performer and
host, Jason has headlined several productions including the 2004 Tap
Extravaganza, the 2002 and 2003 Harlem Jazz Dance Festivals,
TAAP: The Art & Appreciation of Percussion
off-Broadway revue,
and the NY Tap Committee/Town Halls 21Below! where he
performed with Jennifer Holliday. He performed in the The Cotton
Club Returns: A Tribute to Great Jazz Legends and the American
Institute of Vernacular Jazz Dance Darktown Strutters Ball Gala
Events. Jason co-starred with Tap Master Arthur Duncan in
Tap Heat,
a dynamic short film that has been featured in
several International film festivals before its official premiere here
in the United States. Jason recently completed the first volume in a Tap Workout series now available on DVD/VHS.
Jasons choreography has
been commissioned by dance companies and soloists for a multitude of
occasions on a global scale. The opening number for the 2003 Jerry
Lewis Telethon featuring Dr. Fayard Nicholas of the famous Nicholas
Brothers duo, Arthur Duncan, Arlene Kennedy and Skip Cunningham, was
one of the first televised tributes to the late great Gregory Hines.
Debbie Allen has utilized his talents in a variety of her productions
including two episodes of the (WE Network) series Cool Women
and the grand production of Soul Possessed co-starring greats
including Patti LaBelle and Arturo Sandoval. His own Tap Dance Company
known as A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It) made their debut performance in
2004 at The Getty Museum Family Day Festival in Los Angeles,
California. They have also appeared on venues such as National Tap
Dance Day in Thousand Oaks, CA and The Temple Bar in Santa Monica.
Jason continues to
participate in dance festivals throughout the world and has even
created his own in Los Angeles, California in 2003. As the director of
the Annual
LA Tap Festival,
the City of Los Angeles awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation for
creating this historic venue. Because of his contributions to the
dance community, he has been interviewed by several bilingual
publications including those in Japanese and Portuguese. Jason was
recently featured in several issues of Dance Magazine (including being
listed as one of the Top 25 to look for in 2004), Dancer Magazine, and
on the covers of both Dance Spirit Magazine and New York Dance Fax
among others.
This native New Yorker is
currently bi-coastal, heading the tap program at Debbie Allen Dance
Academy in Culver City, CA. He has dedicated his life to educating and
perpetuating the art form on all levels and has been teaching tap
history and movement classes voluntarily as a part of the L.A. Unified
School Districts L.A. s Best and the Yo Watts Program. Jasons band
known as JaJa Productions produces, performs and records all original
music and has performed for the NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles
2004.
Because of his love for the
art form of tap dance and music, Jason has been sought after for both
his physical and intellectual talents. In less than a decade, Jason
has emerged as an outstanding dancer, choreographer,
actor, instructor and host. His work is highly respected and inspiring
on many levels.