Remembering Tap Dancer Al Gilbert (1921-2003)

A tribute and fan site with photos, videos, and biographical information about tap dancer, choreographer, producer, writer, lyricist, and dance educator Al Gilbert.

STAGE NAME: Al Gilbert
BIRTH NAME: Allesandro Zicari
NICK NAME: "Pied Piper of Dance"
YEAR OF BIRTH: July 12, 1921
PLACE OF BIRTH: Rochester, New York, United States
BROTHERS:: Charlie and Pat (known as Pat Rico)
SISTER: Rose
MILITARY SERVICE: 1942-1945 (14th Air Corps Division)
YEAR OF DEATH: February 3, 2003 (died of cancer at age 81)

One story about the family using the stage name "Gilbert" was that Al's brother Charlie looked so much like actor John Gilbert that he started using the name Charlie Gilbert, and later the other siblings started using it also.

Al Gilbert appeared for about 30 seconds in the 1946 film "The Al Jolson Story". He was also an assistant to the assistant choreographer for that film.

Al Gilbert opened his first dance studio in Hollywood, Southern California in 1947.

He owned the dance instruction recording label "Stepping Tones" beginning in 1971.
Discography of Al Gilbert

He taught at Al Gilbert's Hollywood Theatrical Dance Studio, at his own Al Gilbert Dance Seminars, and at several dance conventions including Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, and Dance Olympus.

He produced five concerts at Pepperdine University to showcase emerging choreographers and dance companies

He was a member of Oklahoma City University's School of American Dance and Arts Management Executive Advisory Board, and he taught annually at the campus

Oklahoma City University presented Al Gilbert with their Living Treasure in American Dance Award.

In 1947 Al Gilbert's the Stepping Tones LTD music company produced codified syllabi for teaching tap dance and jazz dance and more than a thousand graded dances and combinations for tap dance teachers and students. His tap dance instruction technique is still widely taught today it is available in a collection of instructional books, audio CDs, audio downloads, video DVDs, and video downloads.

Article:
The Pied Piper's Taps
Article and profile of Al Gilbert published on the Whispers of Hope Web site.

Article:
Al Gilbert - Stepping Tones
Article and profile of Al Gilbert published on theEdmonton School of Ballet and Vimy Dance Blog.

Scholarship:
Al Gilbert Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship established in 2003 by Retter's Academy of Dance in Agoura Hills, California in recognition of the inspiration and mentorship Al Gilbert provided to studio Darryl Retter.

Al Gilbert Products

Al Gilbert Technique: Tap and Jazz
BOOKS
- Al Gilbert Tap Dictionary (Book) $40 | Amazon |
AUDIO CDS:
- Tap Syllabus Volume 1, Primary and Grades 1-4 ($275)
- Tap Syllabus Volume 2, Grades 5-9 ($275)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Primary Audio CD (40)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Grade 1 Audio CD ($55)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Grade 2 Audio CD ($55)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Grade 3 Audio CD ($55)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Grade 4 Audio CD ($55)
AUDIO DOWNLOADS
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Primary Audio DL ($36)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Grade 1 Audio DL($50)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Grade 2 Audio DL ($50)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Grade 3 Audio DL ($50)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique, Grade 4 Audio DL ($50)
VIDEO DVDS
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique Grade 2 DVD ($65)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique Grade 3 DVD ($65)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique Grade 4 DVD ($65)
VIDEO DOWNLOADS
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique Grade 2 Download ($59)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique Grade 3 Download ($59)
- Al Gilbert Tap Technique Grade 4 Download ($59)

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