I CRIED!! | Jumpin Jive - Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers (REACTION!!) 

OK who else was saying “wait until he sees the finale…“ ???? They are complete geniuses I love this number so much.

This is the history of our people. These dance moves were not computer generated. This is pure talent. Learn it and respect it.

This is YOUR HERITAGE! Without this music there would be NO rap music.

Jive was a popular type of dance 💃🏽 Cab Calloway was my grandmother’s cousin and a famous bandleader, dancer and singer, actor. The Nicholas Brothers actors and the most talented/famous tapping brothers of all time🔥 Dude this is from a 1943 film Stormy Weather starring Lena Horne. Younger people need to learn about our history and have honor and respect for those who laid the groundwork, so continue reacting and learning.

This video should come with the warning DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!

I’ve scrolled through the comments and feel I need to add one thing... I’m a blues/swing/jazz musician of thirty years. My wife is a jazz educator of twenty five years. Most people in the comment section are talking about “talent”. I’m here to tell you that talent is somewhat of a myth; Talent would imply that everyone shown in this footage just showed up and was automatically perfect. What everyone in this clip had was the highest level of discipline. Every player in the band/orchestra, along with Cab and the brothers, all individually, had thousands and thousands of hours of practice at their chosen discipline. They then got together for this one scene and rehearsed it hundreds and hundreds of times. Don’t let the “all in one take” talk fool you. It was, indeed, all in one take: when film was rolling. These performers rehearsed this to level most of us can’t imagine. So, yes...everyone here was talented. But, it was discipline that made this one of thr all-time great musical sequences in history. TLDR: you don’t wake up being able to do this, from musicians, directors, to dancers. Everyone was extremely disciplined in their craft, rehearsed it to a level that’s insane, then crushed it when cameras were rolling.

DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY STUNTS SEEN IN THIS VIDEO!

You know when your grandparents would say "when we were your age, we made our own entertainment"? This is what they were talking about.

Cab Calloway “Reefer Man” or “Minnie the Moocher”.

A fact: "Most dance routines are practiced countless times before they’re performed, but the legendary Nicholas Brothers could dazzle audiences on the first take. A clip from the movie Stormy Weather (1943)-featuring Cab Calloway and his orchestra performing Jumpin Jive-captures Fayard (1914-2006) and Harold (1921-2000) Nicholas jumping into tap-dancing action to perform an incredible routine that was completely unrehearsed and recorded in one take."

This is considered to be the best dance scene ever put on film.

The legendary Gregory Hines once said that there could be no biography movie made about the Nicholas Brothers because no one could copy those dance moves today. I believe it.

The Great Nicholas Brothers. Greatest dancers of all time! They were what every dancer since has aspired to, seriously.

I lost it at "thigh-atical" muscle!!!!!!! OMG!!! I LOVE when he makes up words that don't exist, but should!!!! Thanks Leo!!! 😂💓😂

Fred Astaire (who Michael Jackson said was his hero) said this is the best dance routine in history......which it is......nobody comes close to doing the stuff they could do

That my friends, is what you call a performance! ❤️ Remember, there’s no fancy camera work, no auto tune, no take 12. Just raw, beautiful talent. Damn! Thanks for this reaction.

Two of the greatest dancers ever. They did this whole routine on the first take.

Every time I see this incredible video, I notice something new. Note that the Nicholas Brothers never do break a sweat in this film, you never see strain on their faces, nor do they ever stop smiling through the entire routine. These guys were in a class by themselves, having begun dancing as young boys. They were completely in sync with each other. Supposedly, this scene was filmed in ONE TAKE. The brothers knew exactly what they intended to do, and they did it. It is one of the most remarkable pieces of film in all of history. Also, kudos to Cab Calloway, one of the greatest entertainers of his time. This is solid gold.

Doing the splits is one thing. Jumping and landing doing splits is another. But having the thigh muscles to stand back up multiple times is super-human! ☺☻

We wouldn't have had jazz, the blues, then rock and roll and hip hop if it were't for the African Americans who were the forefathers of the Arts in this country. THIS needs to be taught in our schools.

“They jumped balls first”... I lost it 😂😂😂. This was probably before your dad was a seed.

The Nicholas Brothers began performing when they were children. There's nothing like a few decades of practice to help people become excellent dancers.

"He jumped from the top stair balls first!" 😂😂😂

My grandpa played bass in a swing band when he was in his 20s. He was born in 1919, so this would've been his generation's version of heavy rock music. 😂😂

This scene was made as part if a film it was filmed in one take

No joke, the Nicholas Brothers were Michael and Janet Jackson's dance instructors later on. They both even did performances with them in the late 70s and they still had the moves! Janet even had a tribute in a music video to them iirc. Giants stand on the shoulders of giants :)

You'll never see better tap dancing than the Nicholas Brothers. They are not of this world! Great reaction, Mr. Video-- keep doing what you do!

I made a poor decision when I decided to see this at 3:20 am . Had to lock myself in the bathroom with my hand on my mouth trying to not wake up my whole entire house cackling with laughter. Him doing the step on the sofa made me loose it saying the brothers were groinless just made it worse. My god. I have tears.

Oh man! I almost feel off my chair when you hit the sofa in a wanna-be split! You're KILLIN' me, man! SO funny! I'm 63, and this was before MY time. You can see the Nicholas Brothers doing their thing in the video that Bruno Mars cobbled together for "Uptown Funk." (They're on toward the end of it.) I've never seen ANYTHING like this before! These guys were talented, and THEN some! And so are you, Bro. WAY too funny! GREAT reaction!

Cab Calloway was the king of jazz/swing!

I almost peed from laughing hysterically when he tried to jump split the couch. I'm dead!

WARNING: Do Not Try This at Home 😂This was from my mom’s generation. She was a “jitter-bug” dance champion with her brother, so I was exposed to a lot of these musicians and particularly dancers as they were my mom’ favorites. And Cab Calloway was the first musician to coin the term jitterbug. Some of his other performances are “Minnie the Moocher” and “Hi De Ho”. He’s a hoot.

Have you not watched the movie The Blues Brothers?!? A MUST WATCH!!! Cab is Brilliant!!!✌️💗😊

Shame on you not knowing who Cab is and was, cuz. He's that hep cat, from way back. He spoke in scat, way before rap. Even before the big Mac, got stacked.

In the scene, Harold and Fayard Nicholas dance to Cab Calloway's Jumpin' Jive. The most impressive fact about the dance is that the two brothers danced without previous rehearsal. According to Fred Astaire, this scene is the greatest dance scene ever captured on film.

They actually did this dance in one take.

Cab Calloway: A Legend from a Time Where Being A Professional 'Dancer' Wasn't Some Euphemism For Strippers.

😂😂 That was really a lot for you take in! Hearing SCAT and watching the most acrobatic (groin less as you put it), tap dancers ever. WELL DONE MR VIDEO YOU SURVIVED! Especially, after your failed attempt to jump and jive. 😂😂

Dude Cab Callaway Minnie the Moocher next

One of the best reactions I've ever seen for the greatest tap dancers of all time! You got me laughing and crying at the same time, Son! I've seen this clip (and the film it came from) many times and it never ceases to amaze!

I have not laughed this hard in my entire life. When you jumped onto your couch, you took me out. I knew when I saw the title, I had to drop everything. Thanks for the giggles. My side truly hurts

Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers were amazing! "Ya'll better be careful!" LOL!

Cab Calloway also sang "Reefer Man'. I loved CC, he was incredible.

Now you are primed and ready to watch “The Blues Brothers”, one of the greatest films about music of all time. Cab has a part in it, and does one of his most famous songs at the end. Really truly hilarious and educational and inspirational, with performances from some of the true legends of music.

Big Band era.... my parents danced to this stuff. My Dad love the Nicholas Brothers. That staircase routine is legendary. I think I saw this movie when I was about 8 years old. Sweetie... don’t be jumping around like that. They are trained athletes. You are cute but not a trained athlete. LOL.

I just recently came across the Nicholas brothers on RU-vid and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. These gentlemen are amazing, so effortless, in tuxedos no less. They didn’t even seem out of breath after that crazy, high energy, amazing performance. Must of been amazing to see them in person. I don’t if anyone was able to match their dancing, choreography and showmanship.

It took everything in my power not to fast forward to "that scene". Because I knew you were going to lose your mind. We all did the first time we saw it. I've seen this movie clip a hundred times and it still impresses and entertains me.

You (and we with you) are watching some very talented people do what they do best!! The bandleader, Cab Calloway, is, in my opinion the king of jive and the father of 'scat'.... That type of vocalizing he does here. The Nicholas Brothers are legendary dancers!

The fitness and flexibility levels of those two is off the charts.

No kidding the Nicholas brothers were extraordinary dancers. There’s no other dancers like them as far as the tap dancing the jumping and the splits. Their original dancing moves and talents was Phenomenon. Your reaction was a crackup! Thank u for making me laugh. We all need more laugher in our life. ✌🏼💕

The cotton Club in Harlem in the 1940's had the best dancers the best musicians and the prettiest girls hands down

black community should be promoting and and encouraging this kind of talent again. amazing

Watch the whole movie, Stormy Weather! It’s arguably the high point for African American culture or at least a primary document. The band leader is Cab Calloway who played the Cotton Club in Harlem. See him do his hit Minnie the Moocher as an old man in The Blues Brothers movie. He brings down the house. A song he does could be ur new theme song: The Reefer Man!!! 😂

"Jumping on their Jives" and you need new "thigh-attical" muscles! Dude, I subscribed yesterday because you have me crying in laughter, like they made you cry! You're a lotta fun, and it also gets me when you talk to the show, like they can hear you! Keep up the crazy-good work, Bro!

Those 2 brothers are amazing dancers

I saw them run up a wall and flip in another show. Exciting dancers!

You got to do Cab Callaway "the reefer man". And remember this is the 30s and 40s . Back in these day they didn't mess around when they called someone a performer! this kind of showmanship is a lost art.

Man, that crowd really got their money's worth. Hell, I could clear out my month's wages seeing that myself live and I'd more than get my money's worth.

1920-1970 Actors HAD to be able to Act, Sing and Dance. Also, up until the end of the 50’s, all boys were sent to Dance Classes because, it was important for them to know how to dance when they started dating.

I absolutely LOVE watching the old school dancers like Cab Calloway, Fred Estair, and Frank Sinatra! It's like they're weightless and floating...I've never seen anything like them since anywhere.

You need to look up our late brother Gregory Hines........that was a man with a gift for Tap. He impressed me with his gift when I was still a child and had little to no interest in dance. He was on tv and I was hooked. He was amazing!

The Greatest Dance Routine in History.Still unmatched in 2020. Also Cab and his orchestra..Taking no prisoners..Just Killin! Oh yeah we was Killin in the 1940s too..Pure Talent.

Fantastic, and WAY back in the time when people of colour had to be incredibly talented to make it - and showed they were! Look up Dorothy Dandridge, who was married to one of the Nicholas Brothers. Fabulous, talented lady who starred in the films Porgy & Bess and Carmen Jones.

This has got to be from the late 30's or early 40's, I would imagine. How wonderful that we have these old recordings so that generations later can see how talented these guys were (the Nicholas Brothers). Cab Calloway was very popular, but I relate more and enjoy more the Nicholas Brothers. They were freaking AMAZING! I can't think of one person today who could do the routine they just did. And maybe, Mr. Video, they were wearing the metal "cups" that some Mui Tai fighters wear???

Now you dealing with the ultimate entertainers , classic is always better

As a tap dancer since the age of 5, now 61, the Nicholas Brothers were always on my top 5 list! Amazing talent, athleticism and class. So very glad you got a chance to see them. And if course Mr Calloway the best. ☮💜

You're gonna love Cab's song Reefer Man. Last line "now pass it slightly, lightly and politely"

In the 50's Elvis was hailed the King of RocknRoll. Uh I don"t think so. Check. "Louis Jordan" (circa 1946) , "Caldonia".This is essential reaction!! Nicolas Bros, Louis Jordan never got credit deserved. Real old school!!!! The roots that bare the fruits. "

BE CAREFUL! 😂🤣😂 And yes, the Nicholas Brothers were superheroes. I just laughed so hard I scared my dog! Love you, Mr. Video! 💕

I have seen this so many times and the Nicholas Brothers’ athleticism is OUT of this WORLD. Talented - absolutely. Their dancing is amazing! But I cannot get over their stamina. It’s crazy.

A great movie about the Harlem Renaissance is called The Cotton Club.. also a movie about Billie Holiday with Diana Ross ... Lady Sings the Blues

Grew up loving Cab, first introduced to him by Betty Boop and my grandparents ❤️ The energy of their performances were amazing and today's artists don't have even a fraction of their style, class or talent.

Got me over here straight Belly Laughing loud af. My neighbors prolly hate when I watch these reactions. So dang funny. 👍🏼☠️

This is so awesome Black entertainers have always been so talented. We love y’all so much. You inspired everyone to be the best dancers, singers, and musicians. We thank you guys. Let’s do Jive Talkin. Haven’t seen that one yet. You will be once again shocked at the versatility and talent of the brothers gibb 💋

I have watched a bunch of reactors reacting to this video because it never gets old... but you’re the first one who has pointed out how scary it is when they’re leaping over the band like that! Every time I see it, I think, “Those musicians must really trust the Nicholas Brothers...”

The Nicholas Brothers are the G.O.A.T.S!!!

"It don't mean a thing if it aint got that swing..." Big band swing was a magical, all-too-short era in music, but it influenced the whole spectrum that came afterward---jazz, rock n roll, R&B/soul, funk, hip hop. This is one pioneering genre, though it also can be traced back to African percussion traditions.

TALENT!!!!!!!!!!!! That's what it looks and sounds like. Dedicated, hard working, talented people, entertaining everyone who watches. Remembering these artists of yesteryear is a fine thing to do. I really appreciate all the hours of their life they spent honing their craft for the benefit and pleasure of us all. They had no idea that in 2020 we would still be enjoying their performance.

This is from the movie Stormy Weather with Bill Bojangles Robinson, Lena Horne, Cab Calloway but the ones that was dancing at the end was the Nicholas Brothers. Plus the the younger brother Harold Nicholas was in the movie "The 5 Heartbeats" and Cab Callaway was in "The Blues Brothers"

You should look up Gregory Hines when you get a little time.

My dude. Just found your channel. I pray for you and wish you nothing but the best. Yours is one of the *BEST*. (period) *REACTION*. (period) *CHANNELS*. (period) *EVERRRRRRRRRRR*. (period) I adore how open minded you are, and how willing you are to expose people to music. As we all know, these times in the US are…different. But we can find commonality in music and food and essentially what makes us human. Much love and ALL my respect. Thank you for being you. Know that no matter what? You’re loved for being the amazing you who you are.

Lean Horne sang "Stormy Weather" in this movie. One of my favorites. You need to check it out.

This song and tap dance routine was UNREHEARSED... it’s amazing

Damn the BEST reaction video ever! had me LMAO and i didn't know why

When they jumped from the piano to the floor oh, you said oh, they're superheroes, and I thought to myself yeah now you finally got it

you might find interesting that these movies with Cab Calloway, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and others is where young Michael Jackson took his inspiration. (I grew up on this old classics :) Annnnnd you just did the jump splits into the sofa LOLOLOLOLOL!

This is your great grandfather's music! I'm 73 and this was my parents music. Mom use to go to see big bands in the Paramount Theater in the early 1940's. Nicolas Brothers a great dance team!

Where you look back at them old jazz players in the mall musicians each one of them tight outfit tight hair tight shoes tight performance and voice just perfect no auto-tune no computers just a crappy old fashioned mic

AYOOO A RECENT VIDEO TOOOOO???????? Don't mind me infodumping here, but oh my god it makes me beyond happy to see people are still listening to Cab Calloway and still know who he is, to begin with. You can ask anyone of Gen Z now who he is and I guarantee you a very small amount of people will have any idea who you're referring to. He is such a talented man and I feel like so much of him and his music are commonly forgotten by anybody now. I'm in my teens and I just found out about him a few months ago, but god, his music has changed my fucking life. Truly one of the most talented men of his time, and I hope people never forget him man,, he really formed a genre and I swear, him and the songs he sang were so damn magical, unlike anybody else

You have to continue exploring Cab Calloway. Or even other Nicholas Brothers routines... They are the best tap duo ever! By the way, Cab is my idol !

We all need a good laugh right about now (and always) and this did it for me. "Groinless" is a whole new concept. I'm laughing inside just thinking about it. The Nicholas Brothers are without peers - past, present or future. They look like they just pretend that gravity applies to them so that the rest of us don't freak out. Seriously, they look like they only agreed come down from those jumps to reassure us that they are in fact human. If you notice, their groins don't quite hit the floor, but I'm sure their bodies took a beating - hip replacements for sure. They inspire anyone with the desire to dance!

😂😂😂😂 Today was just one of those horrible days for me but this reaction has lifted my spirit. I had tears too after watching your attempted split 😂😂😂 Loved it!

This music makes me so happy! I come from Italian family and grew up listening to the standards.

I love those old movies. They were awesome!

"They jump on their Jive" 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

I had to watch again!!! LOL. Thighatical muscles. ☆☆☆☆☆ ♡

People that think the entertainment we have now is the highpoint are fooling themselves. Except for Mr. Video, of course. :)

Just got to the part that made you laugh so hard - DEAD. 😂😂😂

The Nicholas Brothers are some of the most respected dancers in history for a good reason. These guys had talent GALORE!

Best tap routine ever.