Drayton, Thaddeus

Thaddeus Drayton (1893-1964) together with Rufus Greenlee (1893-1963), pioneered the "class act" tap style, which combined grace and elegance with precision soft-shoe tap dancing. Known as "Greenlee and Drayton," they wore top hats and tails, adding monocles and canes to their costume. They were among the few African Americans to play at the Palace Theater in New York on the vaudeville circuit during World War I. Their act broke up in 1930; Drayton then formed a dance act with Lucille Smith in the 1940's known as "Teddy Drayton and Lucille."

From the description of Thaddeus Drayton collection, 1926-1960. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 144682722