Res. No. 1040
Title
Resolution honoring the life and legend of Gregory Hines.
Body
By Council Members Serrano, Avella, Barron, Clarke, Comrie, Fidler, Foster, Gentile, Gerson, Jackson, McMahon, Moskowitz, Nelson, Provenzano, Quinn, Reed, Reyna, Seabrook, Sears, Vann, Weprin, Boyland, Katz, Brewer and Sanders
Whereas, Gregory Hines, a world renowned tap-dancer, actor, singer, choreographer and director died on August 9, 2003 at the age of 57; and
Whereas, Mr. Hines was considered one of the greatest tap-dancers of his generation; and
Whereas, Born in New York City on February 14, 1946, Mr. Hines began his dance training at the age of three with master tap-dancer Henry Le Tang and made his professional dance debut two years later when he and his older brother Maurice Jr. began an act called the Hines Kids, performing regularly at Harlem's famed Apollo Theater; and
Whereas, Mr. Hines made his Broadway debut in 1954 at the age of eight when he and his brother were cast in the Broadway musical "The Girl in Pink Tights" starring French Ballerina Jeanmaire; and
Whereas, During a professional career that spanned almost six decades, Mr. Hines garnered four Tony Award nominations, winning the prestigious award in 1992 for best actor in a musical for his portrayal of Jelly Roll Martin, the pioneering jazz composer, in the Broadway musical "Jelly's Last Jam;" and
Whereas, In addition to his roles on Broadway, Mr. Hines appeared in numerous films, including "The Cotton Club," "White Nights" and "Running Scared," and directed several other films including, "Bleeding Hearts" and "Red Sneakers;" and
Whereas, On television, Mr. Hines starred in his own sitcom titled "The Gregory Hines Show" in 1997, had a recurring role in the sitcom "Will & Grace" and played the lead role in the miniseries "Bojangles" for which he was nominated for an Emmy in 2001; and
Whereas, Mr. Hines also released a self-titled album in 1987 and wrote introductions for books, such as Constance Valis Hill's "Brotherhood in Rhythm" and Savion Glover's "Savion! My Life in Tap;" and
Whereas, Mr. Hines was a tireless advocate for tap-dancing in America, lobbying successfully in 1988 for the creation of National Tap Dance Day, which is currently celebrated in 40 cities in the United States and in eight other nations; and
Whereas, Mr. Hines also took the time to serve as a mentor, encouraging numerous younger tap-dancers, including Savion Glover, Dianne Walker, Ted Levy and Jane Goldberg; and
Whereas, In a interview with The New York Times in 1988, Mr. Hines stated that "everything I do, my singing, my acting, my lovemaking, my being a parent" was influenced by dancing; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York honors the life and legend of Gregory Hines.
LS#2962
RA
8/14/2003
H:/word/resolutions/serrano/ls#2943
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