Altovise Davis, Widow of Sammy Davis, Jr., Accepts Painting at St. Louis Tap Festival
The St. Louis Tap Festival honored and remembered Sammy Davis, Jr.'s contributions to tap with the presentation of an original painting of the tap legend to his widow, Altovise Gore Davis. The painting depicted Sammy Davis, Jr. in the upper right hand corner, looking down approvingly on fellow tap legend Jimmy Slyde and Robert L. Reed, who often opened the Davis Act. The exquisite painting, by Eugene Mosley, was inspired by an original on-stage photograph of Slyde and Reed taken by Melba Huber which ran as a cover to Dancer Magazine. Mosley painted Sammy Davis, Jr. in stippling, a painting form using millions of dots, giving Davis an approving, reflective, pose. The beautiful coloring was done by Brian Rood who has done work for "Star Wars," "The Hulk" and "The Matrix."
Eugene Mosley and Robert L. Reed, assisted by Anthony Francis representing the Davis Foundation, presented the painting to Altovise Davis at the Festival. Copies of the painting were given to the other two characters depicted, Slyde and Reed, and the original photographer, Huber.
Altovise Davis graciously accepted the painting, and the recognition it gave to her late husband. "Sammy had a big influence in dance/tap," Davis said. "He knew all the hoofers and would be happy and proud to see all this energy and talent of the young performers. Robert (Reed) has brought them together in the surroundings of tap in all forms, hues and colors."
Altovise Davis enjoyed the entire Festival and all the activities. It is not surprising that she immediately fitted in and became a part of the tap family as she also enjoyed a fruitful dancing career. She lived close to New York because her father was in the navy and stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. When she was three years old, her parents gave her dance lessons because she had flat feet. Dance continued with train trips to New York for many years. On Saturdays, she took classes with Katherine Dunham and others.
Later, she attended the High School for Performing Arts in New York where she would study music, dance, and acting in the morning, and academics in the afternoon. Her teachers were Alvin Ailey, Donald McKayle, Syvilla Fort, and Talley Beatty. Other teachers were Eduardo Cansino, Marlon Brando and Dagmar. An associate of Martha Graham also taught at the school. She performed in a piece choreographed by Beatty to the Miles Davis' music "Sketches of Spain."
On Broadway she danced in "High Spirits," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Carnival" and "Golden Boy" as dancer and also played Davis' sister. Her nightclub acts were in Pearl Bailey's Vegas act and as lead dancer in Sammy Davis' Vegas and Tahoe Acts. She married Davis in 1970 and continued her career with various acting roles.
Maceo Anderson, a member of the Step Brothers, taught Robert L. Reed and became his mentor. Anderson later arranged for Step Brother Reed to open Davis' act that Reed continued many times, primarily at the MGM Bally. That's where the connection between Sammy Davis, Jr. and Reed began.
"Sammy treated us like stars," Reed commented. "He made sure we were treated royally. He gave me advice about the business and the business etiquette that has helped me throughout my career. He helped me become more professional, especially in being a single performer. He loved having tap as an opening act and we would jam backstage and trade steps. He was the first person I ever saw do a ripple. I was amazed. I did not know what it was. He told me how Bill Robinson taught, with a loose ankle and that helped me."
Last year Reed received a call from artist Eugene Mosley, the official artist of the Davis Foundation, advising Reed that Altovise Davis wanted to give him an award. The award was a painting symbolizing Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 75th anniversary in show business. The 2004 award to Reed was in appreciation of Reed's opening numbers for the Davis act. This led to Reed inviting Altovise Davis to the 2005 St. Louis Tap Festival. She thoroughly enjoyed all the activities, often helping everyone from the old hoofers to the children. All were thrilled to have the opportunity to know her.
St. Louis was a fitting place for Sammy Davis to be honored because Davis came to the city every year to work with a telethon to raise money for different St. Louis charities. The mayor proclaimed the award day "Altovise Gore Davis Day" and Robin Reed read a beautiful proclamation to the public.
Tap dancers are proud of the work of Altovise in keeping Sammy's song and dance inspiration alive. Don't miss the downtown light show in Vegas of the Vegas Singers, in which Davis dances "Bojangles." It is composed of stick figures and is beautiful; there is nothing like it in the world. The tap world wants Sammy Davis, Jr. and his work to be remembered, as we consider him one of the greatest entertainers of the century.