Tap Dancer Kazunori Kumagai "Speak with Your Feet" & Guests Left Me Speechless

Kazunor Kumagai (b Japan 1977) put on a tap dancing performance with guests artists at the 92ndY.  Kumagai began tap at the age of 15.  He moved to NY at 19 & trained with Ted Levy, Buster Brown, Jimmy  Slyde & Gregory Hines. He was dubbed by the Village Voice as the "Japanese Gregory Hines."  Kumagai talent is definitely on tap with Hines but he brings his own incredible virtuosity and timing.  Perhaps his hat was an homage to his mentor.  Kumagai demonstrated a fast paced debonair flair.  His tight timing and precision was phenomenal.  I liked the duet he did with 24 year old Gabe Winns.  The two had their own distinct rhythms that paired together effortlessly.  Their dancing was phenomenal.  Winns showed a freer style which complimented nicely Kumagai's meticulous footwork.  Kumagai entered & exited their duet with skill & grace allowing Winns his sensational solo.  The dancing was accompanied by Brooklyn born Sabrina Clery on vocals; an amazing jazz singer.  Clery also did a profound reading of Maya Angelous poem "Touched by an Angel" to this heavenly  performance.  On guitar was Masa Shimizu also born in Japan.  And, Alex Blake( b Panama 1951)  played heartily on bass.  Unfortunately his enthusiastic playing caused him to fall off his seat but Kumagai didn't miss a beat.  The diptych wood platforms did not constrict the dancers.  They moved sleekly from platform to floor.  The platform's sides also served as a sounding board for their tapping.  "Speak with Your Feet" was so remarkable, overflowing with amazing artistry.  I was in awe of the artists & left speechless.  The sold out crowd gave a resounding standing ovation.