Lombard Twins

Martin and Facundo Lombard (born July 7, 1977),[1] professionally known as the Lombard Twins, are Argentinian dancers, choreographers, actors, directors, composers and producers best known for their role in the Step Up series. They are identical twin brothers who developed “Free Expression” which is a distinctive dance form that focuses on individual emotion and expression.[2]

Martin and Facundo Lombard
Background information
Born (1977-07-07) July 7, 1977
Buenos Aires, Argentina
GenresHip-hop dance, tap dance, Free Expression
Occupation(s)Dancers, actors, directors, choreographers, composers, producers, models
Associated actsJames Brown, Tito Puente, Steven Meisel, Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Whitney Houston, George Michael
Websitewww.lombardtwins.com

Early life and career

The Lombard Twins were born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the neighborhood of Mataderos. They were raised by a single mother.[2] They began dancing together when they were 7 years old, inspired by Michael Jackson.,[3][4] They dropped out of school at the age of 13;[1] that same year, they made their TV debut dancing in the popular Argentinian show, Ritmo de la Noche or Rhythm of the Night[3] hosted by Marcelo Tinelli.

In 1993, at the age of 15, they decided to expand their career beyond dance and began acting.[1] They struggled to build a career in acting as twins and being recognized as only dancers.[1] Due to the frustration of their failed acting careers, they began creating their own dance choreographies, and playing the drums and piano.,[1][4] They continued dancing and branched out into other visual art forms to expand their artistry.[3]

At the age of 19, the twins began writing short films.[1]

At the age of 20, they had an encounter with the legendary James Brown, who invited them to perform on stage with him at an intimate concert in Buenos Aires and Brown dubbed them ‘The Soul Boys.[5] James Brown recommended that they move to New York and a year later, they followed his advice.,[1][4] They continued working with James Brown for almost a decade.[4]

Moving to New York

In 1998, at the age of 21, they moved to New York City with only $400 in each of their pockets. They lived in the Spanish Harlem as undocumented immigrants on only $15 each per week.[2] They did not speak any English and had no other friends or family in New York.,[1][4] One night they had to sleep in the subway because they had nowhere to stay.,[1][4]

They started learning tap dance in New York by frequently going to jazz clubs where many great tap dancers were seen.[5]

In 1999, they had an encounter with their childhood idol, Michael Jackson. On a corner street in Midtown NYC, the twins spotted Jackson in his car and danced for him. He rolled down his window and said, “You were very clean, you must practice a lot."[2] A year later, they crossed paths again with Jackson at the Old Virgin Records Store of Times Square. Ten years later, they performed at Michael Jackson's induction into the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York.[6]

Acting and modeling

The Lombard Twins gained international recognition after their role as the Santiago Twins in the films, Step Up 3D (2010) and Step Up All In (2014).[2] They also were seen in the promotional trailer for Men in Black 3 alongside Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.[7] Leading up to their roles in Step Up, the Lombards had appearances with Whitney Houston and George Michael and modeled for Versace and Vogue.[2]

In 2011, they acted in the film “Los Marziano” directed and written by Ana Katz, alongside Guillermo Francella, Mercedes Moran and Arturo Puig.,[4][8]

Short films

The Lombard Twins directed and wrote the short films: Infacia 34, Sublevados, Free Expression, Chant Et Fugue, Escualo, Persecuta.[9]

Year Title Credit
2008 Infacia 34 Writers, Directors, Actors
2009 Sublevados Writers, Directors, Choreographers
2012 Free Expression Writers,Directors,

Choreographers, Dancers

2012 Chant Et Fugue Writers, Directors, Choreographers, Dancers
2015 Esculao Writers, Directors, Choreographers, Dancers
2017 Persecuta Writers, Directors, Choreographers, Dancers

Works

The Lombard twins created two stage productions of which they choreographed, directed and produced, including the 2004 semi-autobiographical show “Dreamers” based off their first experience living in New York City,[2][10] and the 2008 concert, Lombard Plays Piazzolla, based on Astor Piazzolla's music. Lombard Plays Piazzolla made its world premier at the New York City Center, and NBC's “Rosie Live” with Rosie O’Donnell.[11]

Free Expression

The Lombard Twins’ discovery of Free Expression was based on emotion.[12] “Free Expression transcends the rules, traditions, and attitudes inherent to many established dance techniques of today and focuses on individual emotion and expression,” described the Twins in an interview with Dance Informa.[3]

It was developed from the idea that dance styles do not allow for free expression because they are connected to a predetermined attitude and are associated with specific rules, creating emotional boundaries. The twins believed in order to fully express oneself, “it is necessary to let go of the predetermined attitude and the rules of a certain style, culture or tradition”.[4]

Dance Influences

Martin and Facundo's major inspirations include Michael Jackson, Jorge Donn, prominent Argentinian ballet dancer, and Gregory Hines, American dancer, actor and singer.[1]

References
  1. Bruno Larocca,Viva, pages 18-24, Clarín, August 19, 2012
  2. Bryan Llenas, Our American Dream: The Lombard Twins Let Emotion Rule the Dance, Fox News, June 11, 2012
  3. Leigh Schanfein, Freedom Of Expression: Lombard Twins, Dance Informa, July 07, 2012
  4. Estefanía Lisi, Gemelos Lombard: La danza volvió para quedarse, Revol Girar Las Danzas, July 09, 2015
  5. Ricardo Kirschbaum Danza: La Increible Historia De Los Gemelos Lombard, Clarin, September 26, 2002
  6. Tom Keyser,Michael Jackson inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame, timesunion, August 15, 2010
  7. Sony Pictures Entertainment,Men In Black 3 Official Trailer, YouTube News, December 11, 2011
  8. Kary López,The El talento de los Lombard Twins, Caras, December 17, 2016
  9. Persecuta MSP Film Society, 2017
  10. Melissa Renter, Dancing Brothers Step Up to Challenge, mySA, August 5, 2010
  11. NBC,Lombard Twins with Rosie O’Donnell on NBC YouTube, Jan 15, 2009
  12. Anna Halkidis, Twin Brothers Stun With Their Unique Tap Dancing Performance, Little Things
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