Dianne Walker & Friends Walker, Dianne performer Rahardjanoto, Claudia performer Nemr, Andrew performer Mendes, Rocky performer Hill, Khalid performer Hosig, Ben performer Boston Tap Company performer Fielder, Shawn performer Concert 2008-02-23 Mass MoCa Produced by MASS MoCA, a tap dance extravaganza. "The most honest dancers are rhythm tappers. That's because they rarely dance set choreography. They move to their own meter, their own mood. their beat is a window on their soul." (Wendy Liberatore of the performance) A tribute to the last of the living greats of tap, Jimmy Slyde, who had mentored Walker; a jam session for Walker, considered the matriarch of jazz tap, and those artists who are on their heels. "She [Walker] strolled around, contemplating what to do. She offered a little click here, a rumble there. She swung her arms, clapped her hands and then her feet broke out in an airy lilt. Though clear to hear, her cadence was so light that one could hardly see her foot twitch above the floor. There is a delicacy and elegance about Walker that is seductive. When she finally stood still, they rose for an ovation." Dancers: Dianne Walker, and a new generation of hoofers that include: Claudia Rahardjonoto, Andrew Nemr, Rocky Mendes, Kalid Hill, Ben Hosig, and Boston Tap Company with Shawn Fielder. Musicians: John Sauer, piano; Otto Gardner, bass; Conor Meehan, drums. (Wendy Liberatore, "Hoofers a Big Hit at Mass MoCA" The Schenectady Gazette, February 24, 2008.) Performing Arts Encyclopedia http://www.loc.gov/performingarts Hill, Constance Valis: Constance Valis Hill, personal collection of tap dance materials. (). Tap Dance America http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/html/tda/tda-home.html Andrew Nemr (biography) loc.music.tdabio.198 Dianne "Lady Di" Walker (biography) loc.music.tdabio.183 tda IHAS 151216 loc.music.tda.2605