All That Tap XX set for Saturday, July 30 at the Touhill

As noted here before, jazz music and tap dancing have been connected throughout the history of both art forms, and tap dancing has been an interest of a number of notable jazz musicians, including drummers such as Buddy Rich (who started in show business as a child tap dancer), Max Roach and Louis Bellson.

St. Louis tap dance guru Robert L. Reed no doubt is well aware of that connection, as he once again has enlisted the services of the Carolbeth True Trio to provide live music for All That Tap XX, the tap dancing extravaganza that will be held this year at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the Touhill Performing Arts Center

The event is the finale of the week-long St. Louis Tap Festival, and will feature performances from Reed, Arthur Duncan of the Lawrence Welk Show (pictured), Broadway veteran Harold Cromer, and many others. Actor, dancer and clown Bill Irwin, who has appeared in numerous feature films and TV shows, also is listed as a special guest, "schedule permitting," and actress Cloris Leachman will serve as mistress of ceremonies. Tickets for All That Tap XX are $15, $20 & $25, and are on sale now via the Touhill box office.

(For more on the connection between jazz music and tap dancing, see here, here, here and here.)