Matt Mattox (August , â€" February , ) was an American jazz and
ballet dancer. He was a Broadway performer and a specialty dancer in
many Hollywood musicals. His best-known film role was as Caleb
Pontipee in the film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.After his
Broadway and film career, Mattox moved to Europe, where he became a
well-respected dance teacher.Mattox was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and
became a protégé of the legendary jazz dance pioneer Jack Cole, with
whom he worked on Broadway in Magdalena: a Musical Adventure (). His
other Broadway credits include creating the role of the Jester in the
original production of Once Upon a Mattress (), and Harry Beaton in
the revival of Brigadoon. Mattox also performed concert engagements
with his own dance company. His brief career as a Broadway
choreographer included Jennie and Say, Darling.Mattox used his
background in ballet technique to create his own technique for jazz
dance. His jazz class was assembled in the progression of a ballet
class, and he called his exercises "the barre". Mattox also
specifically designed the exercises to relate to the combinations
given at the end of his class. The positions, shapes, and qualities
developed during the barre are visible within his own detailed and
polished style.
ballet dancer. He was a Broadway performer and a specialty dancer in
many Hollywood musicals. His best-known film role was as Caleb
Pontipee in the film Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.After his
Broadway and film career, Mattox moved to Europe, where he became a
well-respected dance teacher.Mattox was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and
became a protégé of the legendary jazz dance pioneer Jack Cole, with
whom he worked on Broadway in Magdalena: a Musical Adventure (). His
other Broadway credits include creating the role of the Jester in the
original production of Once Upon a Mattress (), and Harry Beaton in
the revival of Brigadoon. Mattox also performed concert engagements
with his own dance company. His brief career as a Broadway
choreographer included Jennie and Say, Darling.Mattox used his
background in ballet technique to create his own technique for jazz
dance. His jazz class was assembled in the progression of a ballet
class, and he called his exercises "the barre". Mattox also
specifically designed the exercises to relate to the combinations
given at the end of his class. The positions, shapes, and qualities
developed during the barre are visible within his own detailed and
polished style.
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