Maurice Hines

Soon the brothers were appearing on Broadway and touring as the opening act for such headliners as Lionel Hampton and Gypsy Rose Lee. Their father then joined the act and shortly thereafter, “Hines, Hines & Dad” was performing to rave reviews in New York, Las Vegas, and Europe. The group also appeared on many television shows including "The Pearl Bailey Show," "Hollywood Palace," and 35 appearances on "The Tonight Show."

Maurice Hines pursued a solo career and success soon followed when he was chosen to star as Nathan Detroit in the National Touring Company of "Guys and Dolls." After his thrilling performance, Broadway beckoned, and he created a sensation during the 1978-79 season with his singing and dancing in the hit musical "Eubie!". He followed this performance with celebrated roles co-starring in "Bring Back Birdie" with Chita Rivera and Donald O’Connor and starring in "Sophisticated Ladies."

Next, Hines made his big screen debut in Francis Ford Coppola’s "The Cotton Club." As the film hit theaters across the country, so did Ballet Tap USA, a dance company created by Hines and Mercedes Ellington.

Hines then conceived, directed, and choreographed the musical "Uptown… It’s Hot!" which played for 17 sold-out weeks in Atlantic City. He joined the cast when the show moved to Broadway and received a 1986 Tony Award nomination as Best Actor in a Musical. He followed this achievement by co-directing and choreographing the National Tour of the musical "Satchmo" produced by Kenneth Feld. As one of the few stars who truly loves the road, Hines then directed, choreographed, and starred in the National Tour of the musical "Harlem Suite" with successive leading ladies Jennifer Holiday, Stephanie Mills, and Melba Moore.

Internationally, Hines has had the pleasure of directing and choreographing the musicals "Havana Night" in Cuba and an all-Latin version of "The Red Shoes" in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He has also created new shows such as "Broadway Soul Jam," inaugurating an entertainment complex in Holland.

Following these successful stage runs, Hines turned his attention to directing and choreographing music videos, including “I’ll be Good To You”, the first release off of Quincy Jones’ “Back on the Block” album. Hines has directed "The Radio City Spectacular" (the first African-American director for Radio City Music Hall). In the 1994/95 season, Hines starred as Jelly Roll Morton in the forty city first-class National Tour of the musical "Jelly’s Last Jam." He recently returned to the role of Nathan Detroit in the first-class National Tour of "Guys and Dolls."

Hines is currently in pre-production for "Yo Alice," the new urban hip-hop fantasy he conceived and will direct and choreograph. "Yo Alice" is being produced as a film and live production. His critically acclaimed jazz album, "Maurice," is on the Arbors label. As always, all of Hines’ performances are dedicated to his mother Alma.