Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Savion Glover

Role / Field:

Pioneering American tap dancer, actor, and choreographer known for 'young and funk' style.

Born:

1973-11-19

Century / Era:

1973s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Savion Glover (born November 19, 1973) is an American tap dancer, actor and choreographer. The youngest of three sons, Glover was born to a white father, who left the family before he was born, and a black mother. Glover's great-grandfather on his mother's side, Dick Lundy, was a shortstop in the Negro leagues. He managed eleven Negro League baseball teams, including the Newark Eagles.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His grandfather, Bill Lewis, was a big band pianist and vocalist. His grandmother, Anna Lundy Lewis, was the minister of music at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. She played for Whitney Houston when she was singing in the gospel choir, and was the one who first noticed Savion's musical talent. She once held him and hummed some rhythms to him, and he smiled and joined along. Glover graduated from Newark Arts High School in 1991.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Glover stated that his style is "young and funk." When asked to describe what funk is, he says it is the bass line. "Funk is anything that gets one's head on beat. It is riding with the rhythm. It is a pulse that keeps one rolling with the beat." Gregory Hines, a tap legend, was one of Glover's tap teachers. Hines stated that "Savion...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. S. Neill — Contemporary (Died in 1973) (1973): Scottish progressive educator, founder of Summerhill, championing self-governance.
• Abebe Bikila — Contemporary (Died in 1973) (1973): Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion, known for his barefoot victories in Rome and Tokyo.
• Adrien Brody — Contemporary (Born in 1973) (1973): Acclaimed American actor known for intense, emotionally charged character portrayals.
• Alan J. Pakula — Shared historical date (11-19 · Died) (1998): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• Alan Young — Shared historical date (11-19 · Born) (1919): Esteemed British actor, celebrated for voicing Scrooge McDuck and starring in variety shows.
• Aishwarya Rai — Historical peer (Born in 1973) (1973): Iconic Indian actress celebrated for beauty and versatile performances in Hindi and Tamil cinema.
• Akon — Historical peer (Born in 1973) (1973): Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, and influential figure in world music.
• Abby Stein — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Almaz Ayana — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Ethiopian long-distance runner known for Olympic and World Championship success.
• Alexander I of Russia — Shared historical date (11-19 · Died) (1825): Emperor of Russia during the Napoleonic era, known for liberal reforms and military campaigns.
• 1973 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1973
• November 19 (11-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 19

Frequently Asked Questions about Savion Glover