Will Gaines, last in a long line of Jazz Hoofers was born in Baltimore in 1928. He grew up in Detroit where he learned his craft with such greats as Lucky Thompson, Kenny Burrel, Tommy Flanagan and Sonny Stitt at the Apollo, NY 1954.
At the age of 20 he saw The Duke Ellington and Count Basie Orchestras, Dizzy Gillespie and Billie Holiday. In NY in 1957 he joined Cab Calloway’s Cotton Club Show, Martha Ray’s Night Club in Miami, Las Vegas, Washington DC where he performed in front of President Eisenhower, and finally Central Park Manhattan, NY.

Will become a well respected expensive opening act commanding $500 a night: quite a step up from the $65 a week he started on. He went on the road again in ’58, opening the show at the 500 Club in Atlantic City, to Toronto and Buffalo NY, working with among others, Martha Ray, Eartha Kitt, Lena Horne, Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Junior. Having previously visited Europe with USO in 1962 Will arrived in London July 1963, appearing at Ronnie Scott’s, and in 64 the Palladium with Norman Vaughan, Tommy Cooper and The Jack Parnell Orchestra.

Will shown here with Tony Curtis at the International Jazz Night Going back to his jazz club roots. Will worked with such well known names as Alex Welsh, Tony Lee, George Chisolm, Tony Oxely, Stan Tracy, John Stevens and Derik Bailey. He appeared at the Queen Elisibeth Hall with Alex Welsh, Humphery Lyttleton. He appeared at the Royal Festival Hall as well as Festivals in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bracknell and Birmingham. Will’s TV appearances range from Play School to Top of the Pops, and he is the first American Jazz Hoofer to perform at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. He also worked with the world famous Halle Orchestra.

Will Gaines in a rare get together with Honi Coles and Chuck Green, giving a master class at Riverside Studios in London in 1983. Will and Honi talked about and demonstrated the evolution of tap. Honi Coles hosted the show which was staged here in the UK and he talked at great length about the history and different styles of tap, Will was able to show a very grateful audience the delights of Bee Bop Tap.

Honi Coles looks on with appreciation as Will demonstrates the Be Bop Jazz style which is his specialty. The contrasting styles of Gains, Coles and Green, made for a wonderful look at very differing styles and approaches to jazz tap. This is a line up, the like we will never see again as sadly Honi and Chuck are no longer with us.

Will Gaines still kicking it in 1997 and has just celebrated 50 years in Be Bop and is soon to celebrate his 70th birthday in 1998. Will is admired all aver the world and travels thought Europe attending festivals and and jazz conventions, always spreading the word of jazz tap.

Will recently appeared on national TV and gave an interview and performance, demonstrating that he is still as active and proficient as ever, although he was only given a very short slot on a busy daytime TV program.

Will Gaines American Jazz Hoofer