Tamango (artistic director, tap, didjeridoo, drums, spoken word) is a dancer, musician, and painter whose revolutionary approach to tap transforms his dance into music with a sharpened sense of style and awe-inspiring fluidity. Born in Cayenne, French Guyana, Tamango moved to Paris at age eight and began a formal education in art. He started tap dancing in his early twenties at the American Center in Paris and the Beaux Arts de Paris, which he left to join the "university of the streets" before moving to NYC.
Tamango created Urban Tap in 1993, forming a group of like-minded, free-style performers who share a unique vision and deep passion for improvisation and rhythm at the heart of dance and music. Urban Tap has performed in clubs throughout New York City and made its theatrical debut at The Kitchen in 1999. This show captivated critics and the public.
In addition to his work with Urban Tap, Tamango has shared the stage with dance legends Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slyde and has collaborated with Japanese performance artist Min Tanaka, French choreographer Philippe Decoufle, jazz artists Christian McBride, Barry Harris, Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista and many others. —Courtesy Calabash Music
