Class act : the jazz life of choreographer Cholly Atkins /

This is more than a factual biography of a great artist; it is a personal encounter with an exceptional man whose winning personality shines through on every page. The story of Cholly Atkins is that of 20th-century American jazz and tap dance. As a dancer, he teamed with Honi Coles and appeared with Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, and others across the country; his anecdotes about these experiences offer a keen perspective on the performing life. A versatile artist, Atkins developed "vocal choreography" specially tailored rhythmic dance routines based upon steps used by African American chorus lines of the Twenties, Thirties, and Forties. It resulted in a successful Motown career and in his role choreographing the signature moves of such groups as the Pips and the Supremes. Later, he earned a Tony award for his choreography for the Broadway show Black and Blue. His personal heartaches and struggles are addressed honestly, and his triumphs over them are inspiring. Written by the 87-year-old Atkins and Malone (drama, theater, and dance, Queens Coll.), this book resonates with charm and provides solid information about the history of American jazz dance. For entertainment collections. Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.