Singer and tap dancer AC Lincoln knows a thing or two about entertaining an audience. Hailing from a musical family that has made its mark on the NYC jazz scene for decades, Lincoln has been wowing audience on the Django stage since his debut there in 2023. And recently, he brought his band upstairs to the Roxy Bar stage. We sat down with him to find-out more about his intriguing story.

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You come from a VERY musical family. Tell us about your upbringing and how you were first exposed to jazz.

Both of my parents – Kim Kalesti and  Marion Cowings, and my sister Emily King are singers and musicians. My first bed was a travelers trunk because my parents took a gig in St. Croix while my mom was pregnant. I was exposed to the New York jazz scene in the ‘80s and ‘90s when a lot of heavy cats were still around and the younger ones were just getting started. I got exposed to jazz and tap legends like Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, Al Foster, Clark Terry and the “hoofers” (rhythm tap dancers like Jimmy Slyde, Buster Brown, Chuck Green and Savion Glover. There were a lot of unknowns growing up in NYC and in showbiz, but what remained constant was the passion for the music.

 

 

I actually accompanied your father Marion Cowings’ vocal jazz class years ago when I was first starting out. He taught a whole generation of musicians how to sing and swing.

Wow, I love that. So we’re family! It’s like that in the NY Jazz scene when you’ve been around long enough. My Pop Marion Cowings is definitely a very special singer and teacher. They simply don’t teach certain things in the universities and my Pop loves to share his real life information on what it actually takes to get up in front of an audience and communicate with the band. Both my parents started the Vocal Jazz Program at NYU and ran it for 10 years.

 

 

Your sister is the acclaimed jazz/pop vocalist Emily King. What was in the water in your household growing up?!

TappHaha… just good old NYC tap water and old pipes.

 

 

Tap dancing isn’t something you see often these days on stage. How long have you been doing it?

According to my folks I was dancing in the womb. My Pop saw me kickin’ and said “he’s gonna be a ballerina.” Close enough for Jazz.

 

 

I’ve been to your Django shows and have watched the crowds mesmerized by your mingling of singing and tap dancing. It’s an enticing combination.

Thanks so much. I love the live energy of a full house that’s ready to have fun. And you definitely always have that at the Django.

 

 

What kind of shoes does a tap dancer need to wear?

There are standard professional shoes for tap like Capezio’s K360’s which I wear and Jason Samuel Smith’s shoe with BLOCH are also great. Tap shoes have a hard build on them and medal taps on the toes and heels for sound.

 

 

And you carry your own stage as well?

Lol, yes that’s the second half of the equation. Like a drummer’s sticks to a drum and tap dancer needs a proper floor to hit on! I always use my favorite Jaia Boards that plug into the PA system so you can amplify the taps.

 

 

Who are some artists who influenced you that jazz neophytes should check-out?

I have to say my Parents Kim Kalesti and Marion Cowings. Blessed to honestly say my sister Emily King is a brilliant artist as well. Definitely Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers , Lambert Hendricks and Ross, King Pleasure, Joe Williams , Eddie Jefferson, Sammy Davis Jr. Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Johnny Hartman, Dinah Washington and tap dancers Jimmy Slyde, Baby Lawrence, Sammy Davis Jr. again, Gregory Hines, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, The Nicholas Brothers to name a few. More modern pop-wise Michael Jackson, James Brown and many more contemporary artists as well in R&B and Hip Hop.

 

 

What’s your favorite thing about making a life in music?

The freedom of expression, instant connection to complete strangers and the infinite possibilities of a life unknown.

 

 

What can people expect at your next Roxy Bar show?

I can’t wait to sing and tap dance for everyone with my jazz quartet! We’re gonna be swingin’ hard, baby and serenading you as well with a ballad or two.