James Titus Godbolt (October 2, 1927 â€" May 16, 2008), known
professionally as Jimmy Slyde and also as the "King of Slides", was an
American tap dancer, especially famous for his innovative tap style
mixed with jazz.Slyde was a popular rhythm tap dancer in America in
the mid-20th century, when he performed on the nightclub and burlesque
circuits. He was also popular in Europe and lived in Paris for a brief
period of his life. Slyde appeared in several musicals and shows in
the 1980s, and he received numerous awards for his talent. He was
known for his signature move, the slide.Godbolt was born in Atlanta
and moved to Boston at the age of three. As a child, his mother
encouraged him to play the violin, and he enrolled at the Boston
Conservatory of Music to advance as a violinist. However, the
Conservatory was across the street from Stanley Brown's dance studio,
which he would visit to watch great tap dancers such as Bill
"Bojangles" Robinson, John W. Bubbles, Charles "Honi" Coles, and Derby
Wilson. At the age of twelve, Godbolt quit violin lessons at the
Conservatory and began tap lessons at Brown's studio with his mother's
blessing (she wanted him to do something other than play sports to
help contain his energy). At the studio, he studied under Brown
himself and a student teacher, Eddie "Schoolboy" Ford, who taught
Godbolt the slide. Godbolt connected with another dancer known for
slides, Jimmy "Sir Slyde" Mitchell, and they put together an act to
take on the road.
professionally as Jimmy Slyde and also as the "King of Slides", was an
American tap dancer, especially famous for his innovative tap style
mixed with jazz.Slyde was a popular rhythm tap dancer in America in
the mid-20th century, when he performed on the nightclub and burlesque
circuits. He was also popular in Europe and lived in Paris for a brief
period of his life. Slyde appeared in several musicals and shows in
the 1980s, and he received numerous awards for his talent. He was
known for his signature move, the slide.Godbolt was born in Atlanta
and moved to Boston at the age of three. As a child, his mother
encouraged him to play the violin, and he enrolled at the Boston
Conservatory of Music to advance as a violinist. However, the
Conservatory was across the street from Stanley Brown's dance studio,
which he would visit to watch great tap dancers such as Bill
"Bojangles" Robinson, John W. Bubbles, Charles "Honi" Coles, and Derby
Wilson. At the age of twelve, Godbolt quit violin lessons at the
Conservatory and began tap lessons at Brown's studio with his mother's
blessing (she wanted him to do something other than play sports to
help contain his energy). At the studio, he studied under Brown
himself and a student teacher, Eddie "Schoolboy" Ford, who taught
Godbolt the slide. Godbolt connected with another dancer known for
slides, Jimmy "Sir Slyde" Mitchell, and they put together an act to
take on the road.
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