Jason Samuels Smith is a multi-talented performer, choreographer, and director who has made a significant impact in the art of tap dancing within a decade. His achievements include winning an Emmy and an American Choreography Award for "Outstanding Choreography" for the 2003 Jerry Lewis/MDA Telethon opening number, paying tribute to the late Gregory Hines.
Smith has received numerous accolades, including a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Los Angeles for creating the First Annual Los Angeles Tap Festival in 2003, a Proclamation declaring April 23rd "Jason Samuels Day" from the City of Shreveport, Louisiana, the "Ivy of Education" from Brainerd Institute, the "President Kenny Award" from Stony Brook, an Arts International Grant, an Alpert McDowell Fellowship Award, and the 2007 Gregory Hines Humanitarian Award.
In addition to his awards, Smith has co-starred in Dean Hargrove's award-winning short film "Tap Heat" and has been featured as a dancer in the motion picture "Idlewild" starring Outkast. He has also performed in numerous productions, including the Tony Award-winning Broadway cast of "Bring in Da'Noise, Bring in Da'Funk," "Imagine Tap!," "Savion Glover's NYOTs," and "Cross Currents: Turned on Tap."
Smith has collaborated with Kathak Master Pandit Chitresh Das on the dynamic project "India Jazz Suites," which has been performed worldwide. He and Das were awarded the 2007 Isadora Duncan Award for Best Ensemble Performance and will continue to tour this project.
He founded tap company A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It),which has performed at various events, including The Getty Museum Family Day Festival in LA, The New York City Center Fall for Dance Festival, and Sadlers Wells' Sampled in London. Smith also produced JaJa Productions, a band featuring original jazz-influenced hip hop music, which has performed throughout the United States.
In addition to his performances, Smith has worked as a Bloch Corporate Spokesperson, developing a new tap shoe to offer quality and affordable options for professional tap dancers. He has also been featured as a Special Guest on Fox's hit series "So You Think You Can Dance."
