Jason Samuels Smith is an established leader for Tap with accolades as Choreographer, Performer and Humanitarian. He received an Emmy Award, Dance Magazine Award, American Choreography Award, Gregory Hines Humanitarian Award and grants/residencies supporting the development of new work. Television/film and choreography credits include Outkast’s “Idlewild”; “Black Nativity” (associate tap choreographer/security guard #1); Hit Series Psych; CBS’s Secret Talents of the Stars (MYA); “So You Think You Can Dance”; Dancing with The Stars; Dean Hargrove’s “Tap Heat” (co-star with Arthur Duncan) and “Tap World” (Executive consultant); and Debbie Allen’s “Cool Women”. Stage Credits include Broadway’s Bring in Da’Noise, Bring in Da’Funk (principal/lead roles); Debbie Allen’s Soul Possessed (leading role); and Imagine Tap! (leading role). He continues to tour worldwide as a soloist and with his company and various projects at premier venues which have included Award-winning collaboration co- starring Kathak Master Pandit Chitresh Das which was immortalized in the critically acclaimed documentary “Upaj: Improvise”. Other projects have included JaJa Productions Band; A.C.G.I. Tap Company, Going The Miles, Chasin’ The Bird, and Dormeshia’s And Still You Must Swing amongst others. Jason has also performed as a special guest with Grammy award artists including Lalah Hathaway and Jennifer Halladay. Smith has appeared in an internationally televised documentary on Fred Astaire and was featured in a spread with model Michelle Buswell in RED magazine (UK).

Jason utilizes his art form as a vehicle for growth and change and has created several mediums to support these efforts. He directed the annual L.A. Tap Festival for almost 20 years, as well as the annual celebration of National Tap Dance Day Tap Family Reunion in NYC which offered numerous mentorship and training opportunities to youth in their respective communities. As a humanitarian, Jason continues to support organizations including Dancers Responding to Aids, Tied to Greatness, Career Transitions for Dancers, Tap Into A Cure, Groove with Me, and Move The World among others. He also designed and developed an affordable professional tap shoe sold exclusively by BLOCH. Jason aims to promote respect for tap dance and continue to create opportunities for upcoming generations as he continues to travel as an ambassador for tap around the world.