The Copasetics Connection
Tap dancers from everywhere met in New York at the amphitheatre in Marcus Garvey Park, in Harlem, for a historic group photo in May of 2005. Even though rain threatened for most of the day, the weather cooperated, allowing the historic tap photo. This shooting, titled "A Great Day in Tap Dance," was patterned after a group photo of jazz musicians taken many years ago, also in Harlem, of jazz musicians known as "A Great Day in Harlem" which remains today as one of the most unique gatherings and photos representing jazz musicians in America.
The Copasetics Connection, which organized the event, is a group of tap artists selected in 2003 by the last remaining members of the great tap group, The Copasetics. [The declaration is reprinted courtesy of The Copasetics Connection.] Those last members were LeRoy Myers (now deceased), Henry "Phace" Roberts (deceased), and Ernest "Brownie" Brown. Leroy Myers originated the idea of a support group a year before he died. "The idea was for us to not be a "new" Copasetics, but somehow carry on in the spirit of them but set our own goals and have fun," said Hank Smith, Chairman of the support group. Copasetics Connection members Megan Haugns, Jun Maruta, Toes Tiranoff, Michael Shannon, Michela Marion Lerman and David Gilmore also assisted in the photo event.
The Copasetics was formed in 1949, by a group of 21 men in show business, to honor the memory of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. The group contributed towards many community and charitable causes and helped revive tap dancing in the 1970s and 1980s. The club's annual dance and boat rides were popular events.
The original Copasetics members were: Cholly Atkins, Peg Leg Bates, Paul Black, Roy Branker, Ernest Brown, Honi Coles, Chink Collins, Charles Cook, Emory Evans, Francis Goldberg, Frank Goldberg, Milton Larkin, LeRoy Myers, Pete Nugent, Lutherr Preston, Phace Roberts, Billy Strayhorn, John E. Thomas, James Walker, Elmer Waters, and Eddie West.
Subsequent members included Billy Eckstine, Lewis Brown, Curley Hamner, Timmie Rogers, Charlie Shavers, Bubba Gaines, Dizzy Gillespie, Buster Brown, Louie Simms Carpenter, Albert Gibson, James Cross, Jimmy Wright, and honorary members Willie Bryant, Lionel Hampton, Sammy Davis, Jr., The Nicholas Brothers, Chuck Green, Joe Williams, and Dick Gregory. Billy Strayhorn served as president of the club from the early 1950s until his death in 1967. The club abolished the presidency in his honor. The official photograph of "A Great Day in Tap Dance" will be published soon. In the meantime, other shots may be viewed on the website www.Copasetics.com. Hopefully, the successful "A Great Day in Tap Dance" will lead to more such events to preserve the rich history and heritage of tap.