Maurice Hines was born on December 13, 1943,  Gregory was born on February 14, 1946. At ages 3 and 5, the duo began dancing. Maurice learned first, and then brought home his tap lessons to Gregory, who was too young for the class. They are mentored by famed choreographer Henry LeTang.

The tap-dancing brothers dazzle audiences across from coast to coast. Opening up for artists like Lionel Hampton and Gypsy Rose Lee.

The duo makes their first splash on Broadway in the musical The Girl in Pink Tights starring ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire.

As the times change, the tap-dancing act evolved. Maurice and Gregory develop their singing voices and add “Dad”, Maurice Hines Sr. at the drums. The family hits the road. Managed by mother Alma Hines, they play the cabaret circuits in the Catskills and Las Vegas. Hines, Hines & Dad appear on the Johnny Carson show over 30 times and release an LP on Columbia Records.

Gregory moves to Venice Beach, California. He no longers wants to perform and travel in the family act. He adopts a hippy life and develops his solo music career. He forms the rock group Severance and releases an album.

Maurice develops as a dancer in New York City. He studies ballet, modern, jazz, african, Dunham and Ailey. He is mentored by Choreographer Frank Hatchett and his signature “VOP” dance style.  Maurice rebuilds his body beyond just tap dancing, he has 6 o’clocks!

Maurice insists that Gregory comes back to NYC! He helps get him on the cast of the Broadway musical Eubie!.  Choreographed by Henry LeTang, the duo performs together again. It’s a big hit! 

Gregory’s breakthrough performance in Eubie! elevates him as a major star on Broadway and soon earns three TONY nominations in less than four years – Eubie! (1979), Coming Uptown (1980), and Sophisticated Ladies (1981).

Gregory hands over his role in Sophisticated Ladies to his brother Maurice. Gregory warns the cast that Maurice is a different dancer and that “tempos will be faster!”

Maurice and dancer Mercedes Ellington partner to create a “smashing new dance company!” Ballet Tap USA integrates multiple genres of dance, including tap, ballet, and jazz.  Maurice gets to express all the forms of dance he loves.

Gregory insists to director Francis Ford Coppola to cast his brother as his brother, in the motion picture The Cotton Club.  The duo performs multiple times in the movie, choreographed by Henry LeTang. It will be the last time they perform together.

Shortly after the making of The Cotton Club,  Maurice and Gregory stop speaking to each other for over a decade.

Gregory’s star rises with a successful film, tv, and music career. He quickly became known as the greatest tap dancer of his generation.

A star is his own right, Maurice receives a TONY nomination for “Best Actor in a Musical.”  for Uptown…It’s Hot! (1986).  It is Directed, Choreographed and Conceived by Maurice Hines.

Maurice choreographs the touring musicals Satchmo, and Harlem Suite (Director too), and the music video “I’ll Be Good You” by Quincy Jones featuring Ray Charles & Chaka Khan (1989).

For his role as Jelly Roll Morton in Jelly’s Last Jam,  Gregory finally wins a TONY award.  The brothers are still estranged and not on speaking terms. For the traveling company, Maurice is given the demanding role that Gregory made famous (1994-95).  As Maurice explains, “it is simple, talent is talent.”

Mother Alma Hines is sick. Gregory and Maurice finally reunite to be by her side.

Maurice sings his heart out on two CD’s for Arbors Records. He performs a one-man show at small cabaret locations.

On August 9, 2003, Gregory Hines passes away from cancer. He was 57 years old.

Maurice returns to Broadway after 20 years, to direct, choreograph and conceive a musical to the music of Earth Wind & Fire.

Maurice performs Sophisticated Ladies again, his second musical for Washington DC’s Arena Stage (Guys & Dolls ‘00).  He discoveries and mentors the young tap-dancing Manzari Brothers.

Maurice taps and sings through his incredible career in show business, pays tribute to his brother, Gregory, and the performers who inspired him. The show Tappin’ Thru Life tours steadily for three years . By popular demand, he still performs the show today at concert halls and cabaret venues around the country.

Maurice Hines, still active in his 70’s, allows filmmaker John Carluccio to start documenting his story.

Maurice’s personal journey is revealed in the documentary film Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back. The film wins The Grand Jury Prize (Metropolis) at DOC NYC.