The Chicago Human Rhythm Project ended its 11-day “Juba” festival Sunday with a beguiling roster of performers and a smashing star turn by the greatest tapper alive.
Savion Glover, in rare form and on hand to accept one of the fest’s new Juba Awards, came on for a devilishly fast, uncannily seductive sampling from his arsenal. Playing brilliantly off music from the bass player from the Rich Fudoli Quartet, Glover, in trademark street attire, gave a knockout performance as flashy as any in “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk,” the Broadway show that has given his artistry wider acclaim and deserved attention.
Confessing that Glover’s talent and charisma leave him speechless, emcee Prince Spencer, a veteran tapper himself and a Juba Award-winner as well, nonetheless came up with the perfect one-word review: “Awesome.”
Awesome, rambling, occasionally awkward and yet graced with great talent and ultimately endearing are all ways to sum up the Human Rhythm Project’s finale at the Athenaeum Theater. Somehow, the potpourri programming and amateurish trappings are part of what make it so perfect for tap’s down-to-earth, relaxed, easygoing comeback.
Even Glover, somewhat embarrassed, had to don his tap shoes on stage, confused about the order of program events, an unplanned costume change that the production’s roving video camera caught in close-up on the stage’s projecting screen: a shot of his famous, briefly bare feet.
Some of the most memorable moments came from the teaming of young hip street hoofer Reginald McLaughlin and the amazing, 82-year-old Ernest “Brownie” Brown, whose short stature, irrepressible vaudeville mugging, one-liners, pratfalls and authentic stylistics are living history and pure performance charm.
Spencer, as host, reminisced about his days with the Four Step Brothers and saluted tap’s role in breaking down racial barriers. The program also boasted an interesting study in the relationship between classic tapping and instrumentation, from Michael “Shoehorn” Conley’s amazing marriage of dancing and sax playing to Especially Tap’s Chicago’s duly celebrated extravaganza with drumsticks.
Glover brought down the house, but artistic director Lane Alexander can take pride in the momentum he handed the superstar.
