It Don't Mean A Thing - Phyllis Hyman and tap dancers (Gregg Burge and Hinton Battle)

[th3drummers]

now this is performance

we need to get back to this

[ifluvinguiswrong]

My lord she rocked this. I miss her so much! There will never be another Phyllis.

[NeoEpzilon]

Wow she was amazing! I wish I knew about her earlier!

[Meashayshay2]

I wish there were more productions like this around. :(

[brocktam]

Awesome!!!

[jnorwood6027]

OMG... I miss her so much! Love this video and still cannot believe she is no longer on this here earth! The dancers are amazing. I love NYC for its contributions to the ARTS! GOD bless us ALL!

[ChicagoTyme2]

@jnorwood6027 I know what you mean! She was one of the best. I love listening to her. We need a soundtrack of this.

[JomoDaMusicMan]

Phyllis was great doing Pearl Baileys number. The Tap Dancers were awesome and as far as she doing Shug Avery in color Purple. the actress that did the performace as Shug could not be topped because she did an extreme performce in the show

[georgiaboi420]

@JomoDaMusicMan Margeret Avery played Shug in The Color Purple and did indeed do a fantastic job. Phyillis just had the raw vocal talent and appeal to have also been considered for the part.

[ebonyd4ever]

Gosh, she was so beautiful and talented!

[alcoholharmony]

This can't be touched. She set the bar and hasn't been surpassed.

[janina7240]

Like it' like it' like it !!

[yoyodrama]

Omgosh I am watching it from the computer and I feel like I am actually there. Great performance.

[bRadicalmagic1]

WOW ! ! !

[crawlbitchcrawl]

AMAZING!!!!! Phyllis i loooove u! rip! those dancers! wow!

[parrisj21]

I love her

[MizzDevin89]

I so wish I had her voice

[CharlesBarry]

who are the two crazy people that don't like this ?

[LaSenoraGordon]

WOOOWW! I've never seen her perform. That was AMAZING. Those dancers were the perfect addition to her pizazz. Wish I could've seen that in person.

[missmochashake]

Two thumbs up for an excellent performance. Phyllis is dearly miss by so many fans.

[stylista1992]

werk!

[timmy841212]

THAT WAS TIGHT!!!!!! Rest in peace Phyllis!

[JinBambino28]

Lo and behold mortals, a performance of proportions unlikely to be matched in this half of the Heavens above; digitally recorded and saved in inspirational canon for future generations.

I can see myself narrating my version of a Rod Serling like dialogue at the end of this...

[madeleinedouglas]

Just when I thought I had seen everything Phyllis Hyman had done.....WOW, Thank You for THIS ;-)

[datgurlrae]

When was this filmed?

[datgurlrae]

How beautiful was she!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[keepthemusicplaying0]

We all miss this sassy lady !! What a voice and presence !!

[peacockist1]

OMG! This made my day brighten up, JOY JOY JOY! Thank you

[g6686not]

Its a shame this sista never found a guy that made her feel special about herself she's beautiful smh...RIP Phyllis

[Mongo76]

How does Beyonce's name even get mentioned? There is absolutely NO comparison AT ALL. Two totally different performers and BOTH great at what they do/did. People really have an issue with this BS. See and artist for their OWN talents Phyllis was in a league of her own and NO ONE will ever be able to do Phyllis justice b/c she did Phyllis to Perfection ....the end.

[ellasaraharetha]

Phyllis makes one realize that the popular singers today should not even be mentioned in the same breath as her. She is so far above anyone out there today as are Ella, Sarah and Aretha. They set a standard so high that we may never have talent like that again. Thank God we can still enjoy their legacy.

[deejaygrl]

Hey Now!!!!!!!!!

[chpiyatas]

Love her scat. It's hard to find anyone who can scat like this

[sassnsweet]

isnt that ben vereen tapping ? ....enjoyed the post.

[erika2012vsu]

Beyonce eat your heart out.

[MrKrock1982]

True Icon love you Phylis.

[tefnutbellsouthnet]

PERFECTION

[1985raymund]

OH LIKE YOU KILLIN ME BABY!!!!!!!!@4:43 sexy

[Shandra9000mail]

@1985raymund I'm glad you picked up on that, every time I watch this video when she says that, I get chills:)

[jackmacdaddy]

THAT IS THE SHIT! OMG! I remember seeing that on Broadway on opening night after the debauch that was SL then. The Kennedy Center version had all kinds of boring book. This made you SING AND DANCE!

RIP to all the geniuses that made it soar.

[drtash21]

i could listen to 0:26-1:34 all day, but the whole performance is just MESMERISING!

[angelabrandy]

This is fabulous! I would pay my entire paycheck to see a performance like this.

[Sicilia928]

Amazing. Thank you for posting this. My favorite thing about the internet is YouTube, because of clips like this one. 

[kmaur21]

5:28-5:35 those runs Phyllis was lethal could put any gospel singer to shame right there. Those runs were complex sing Phyllis!

[mskenny]

This performance is simply marvelous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ladymuziklover]

this performance was hotttt!!! PH singing lyk nobody's bizness & the guys tappin in unison..o luv it! thanx4 posting rmasai

[Rmasai]

I glad you enjoyed it...

[yacodiva316]

@ladymuziklover

Ditto. Ms Hyman was a true artist. Great range and awesome talent. I am sorry that she did not record "New York, New York" arranged by Frank Owens the piano player with the Duke Ellington Orchestra at that time. No one sang that song like Phyllis. She got a five minute standing ovation. The fourth guy and the one behind him in the tap number are brothers (Williams), the ones who won Star Search of which Maurice and Gregory Hines choregraphed the last dance numbers.

[ladymuziklover]

@yacodiva316 cool..appreciate the info

[DeannDmere]

This woman gives me chills!!

What a great performance!!!!!

[LadyOfWordz]

This Performance Goes to The Saying,"Ain't No Buisness Like Show Business!" and She Put On a Show!

[sonofyah2726]

Fantastic proformance !

[naenae0728]

I seen the whole Sophisicated Ladies and during the finale, Phyllis was dancing! It caught me off guard cause I never seen her dance before!

[kmaur21]

@naenae0728 Wow you saw the whole thing that has to be a bleasing

[963821]

i think she was very underrated. i always enjoyed her talent, her skills and her great voice

[aelishaful]

i'm new to this, can someone tell me which of the dancers is hinton battle?

[naenae0728]

@aelishaful I believe the one who blows Phyllis a kiss

[oneindachamber]

Phyllis Hyman is possibly the one musician you can put in a legendary class of past musicians such as Billie Holliday, Dinah Washington, and Duke. If you dont believe me check out the amazing performance above.

[Rmasai]

I second that motion....

[MotownMaster]

@Rmasai i third, she had a class that was unmatched, Phyllis will always be one of the best, RIP

[dggd]

@oneindachamber AMEN TO THAT!!!

[Glencoe102]

@oneindachamber I Agree as well, There May be many who will try, But this song was definetly Made for "The Goddess of Smooth Love Songs" Ms. Phyllis Hyman:)

Love her :)

[yacodiva316]

@oneindachamber

I was lucky enough to see the original production of "Sophisticated Ladies" starring Gregory Hines,Judith Jamison, Phyllis Hyman, and Mercedes Ellington in addition to Maurice Hines at least 15 times; she sang each song differently during each of her performances. Gregg Burge and Hinton Battle could dance like no other: form was impeccable; performance had style, personality and "VOP" and very elegant and gracious together on stage and kept your attention. I miss those days.

[snugglebear09]

Amazing vocal ability. One of the best, if not the best.

[zet04]

Why can I see TONI BRAXTON Sing this song???? LOL

[OasisEnLaLunna]

@zet04 Love Toni but she doesn't have the finesse that Phyllis ever had, she is better off singing pop and R&B as opposed to jazz, her voice is too rough (and lovely though)

[ICANDIGUOUT]

phenomenal vocal projection

[nesofine]

wow this is funny! Not to take sides but Jasmine and Phyllis has a few similarities to me.They're both GREAT SINGERS from Philly with distinct voices.Rare beauties.They do favor,both have height,large hands and though they have difference in style,the music is heartfelt and emotional.I am a very huge Phyllis fan and I hardly compare anyone to her but everyone has their own opinions.

[esinam81]

WOW!!!!!!

[thia909]

i just wanted to make it clear;the only thing i was comparing re; phyllis & jazmine were their looks,not their vocal ability.i still think that they resemble,but can appreciate everybodys else's opinions ;)

[Denturewearer]

Reading all these comments about Jazmine, Chrisette neither of these women compare to Phyllis. She stood in a class by herself. And as far as Chrisette Michele is concerned she can sing for me anytime. I was blown away by her on the Soultrain awards. Chrisette is bad!

[JohnDaniB]

omg! this woman was amazing! she is going down in history!

[thia909]

i think jazmine sullivan is phyllis hyman reincarnated...i really do! the likeness is too much!

[mcglo38]

No my dear. I don't think so but Chrisette Michele is.

[thia909]

i'd never heard of Chrisette Michele b4 now but i googled her & yes,she does look like phyllis !

theres still a lil sumthing sumthing about jazmine that reminds me of her also....cant quite put my finger on it!! :)

[cammicty]

@thia909 Not at all! She does not have the same vocal ability, although she is great! I've heard her live, and Phyliss, no way! it takes amazing tallent to match Phyliss, and the only singer that can match her vocal ability is Rachelle Ferell! JUst to mention Phyllis's amazing Savoi faire, her Avantgard, yet classy way of performing, oh no honey Jasmine is great, but there will have only been one phyllis, and she remains untouched!

[Rmasai]

Rachelle Ferell, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Phyllis come from that Ella Fitzgerald / Sarah Vaughan school of singing. Today the music industry is so dumbed-down that real music and real singers are getting pushed to the side. Today young people are using non-singers as a measuring stick, I will not mention any names, but you know who they are. Also, I'm not talking about Jamine and Chrisette, they are great singers, but there is only one Phyllis Hyman.

[GeorgiaPeach87]

what? ha no Jazmine can't even touch Phyliis. she is in a class of her own.

[georgiaboi420]

Phyllis would have been great as Shug Avery in the Color Purple imo

[Rmasai]

I agree, ever time I watch it now I imagine Phyllis playing Shug...

[MadFranandfriends]

I only just finished the book and I always pictured her as Nina Simone but dear god are you right about Phyllis!

[OasisEnLaLunna]

She would have and this musical is from around the time they were making the film. Wonder why she wasn't considered? The curious thing is that Steven Spielberg was fighting to convince Tina Turner to play shug, that's who he envisioned.

[apolloniasixer]

@OasisEnLaLunna The role as shug was hers but she didn't take it..honestly..the last version of shug is the best

[Rmasai]

She was considered first for the role, when they saw her and heard her sing, they said Phyllis is Shug. Phyllis sort of self-sabotage herself during the audition with Steven Spielberg. This is layout in the autobio of Phyllis.

[SmoothCinnamonX]

@OasisEnLaLunna Incorrect. Spielberg wanted Tina to play Celie, not Shug.

[OasisEnLaLunna]

@SmoothCinnamonX Google it and find out for yourself. Trust me I am a huge fan of both Phyllis and Tina and the movie. Spielberg thought Tina had the perfect look for Shug Avery

[mskenny]

@georgiaboi420 I agree.

[Geexx4]

@georgiaboi420 : I TOTALLY AGREE!

[MiamiChicky]

@georgiaboi420 Was she offered the role or are you just stating your opinion?

[Rmasai]

She was offered the role; it was stated in her bio.

[nappiebynature]

@georgiaboi420 Great great thought ... Sadly it brought pain to my chest to think that even though it was a great idea it can't be achieved ... not even in comparison with a current performer ... They don't make em like they used to ..

[yaya4now2]

We don't see talent like this anymore! Thank you for posting this on You Tube. Thanks for the early Christmas gift. Merry Christmas to me!

[yisbout]

Fierce!

[trilby80]

that was damn good!!!!!!

[anyangospirit]

Whoaaaa.... speechless!!!!

[mrbatman21]

you aint lyin

[braevbird]

Priceless....... Absolutely, positively Priceless!!!! Please keep this one on YouTube.

[ArtofSutefeni]

Wow this is amazing!! :D

[eyezsosexi]

Lovely!!

[darrenandbutterfly]

I agree. There will also never be another one like her

[MissAbri]

Now thats what i call ENTERTAINMENT!!

[lookatyvonne]

she's one of a kind. i hear alot of phyllis in toni braxton and jill scott.

[MissAbri]

i swear i wuz jus bouta say that.....with a touch of anita baker!!

[WarriorSmurf]

Excellent performance.I 've always loved Phyllis Hyman's work and her as a person. I swear, if I were twenty years older...

[MusicLvr4sure]

Sorry, but it wouldn't help for you to be any older. Phyllis passed away in 1995.

[WarriorSmurf]

I knew I left something out, lol. Allow me to clarify: twenty years older than my current age (33 y/o)roughly 10-13 years before she passed. I was on a roadtrip (and in my second year of college) when the news of her passing was announced on the radio. Sometimes it's not good to post "drive by" comments before doublechecking, lol.

[broke2471]

Yes....I think Jazsmine Sullivan favors Phyllis moreso than any other artist, and she has the same voice texture and tone...of Phyllis...I pulled up two pics and there is a indeed a resemblence.

[broke2471]

Phyllis was the Grande Dame of Paris (Josephine Baker), the Lady of Blues (Billie Holiday), the Diva (Diana Ross), the PurrrrFection (Eartha Kitt)...all rolled into one. What an all-around talent.

[emakulat]

i agree... simply amazing!

[SmoothCinnamonX]

@broke2471 Aptly put!

[jphisiccardi]

Impresionante!

Que ganas de haber estado alli!

[thekaliko]

She's FANTASTIC!!

[tru3stuckupTeeHee]

OMG!!! She's amazing!!! If only she was still here to hipnotize us with that voice. But I guess she's gone for a reason. I love that woman!!! (She looks like she could be Jazmine Sullivan's mom or something. Weird)

[Aishah215]

Thats funny you said that, because my mother is a fan Phyllis Hyman music and she believe''s that KeKe Wyatt kinda looks like Phyllis Hyman ...

[missyoak]

lol she does look like her

wow this was a great woman

[dynasty0408]

was this from sophisticated ladies?

[Rmasai]

Yes it was.

[Ladyson]

Everything she sings gives me CHILLS!

[junebias1]

now thats what i call real talent,anytime you can sing this song and make it ur own and sound as good as if she were in a recording studio,i could only imagine the music she would have made if she was living this day and time

[sistagirl488]

OMG I ADORE HER AAAAHH i'll sing this as many times it takes me to get it right, i'll never be as good but i can get close : S

[darrenandbutterfly]

I love a woman who can Really Sing!!! They don't make them like Phyllis anymore. I love it

[nyc828]

Thank you for posting! Phyllis doing what we all wish we could have more of!!!

[tisha812]

Ohhhhh my goodness...All I can do is sit and shake my head in disbelief...they don't make 'em like Phyllis anymore...between her physical beauty and the beauty of her sultry, mind boggling voice, I am just SPEECHLESS!!!

[kjzmommy]

ditto! i can't stop watching it...i LOVE her!

[Khismet1]

Fantabulous! ~~ Breath Taking :) ~~

[blackemtee]

Awesome!!

[CuteChaosPrincess]

Greatest interpretatipon ever, brings tears and joy at the same time.