Who were Viola and Ulysses Nicholas?

Viola and Ulysses Nicholas were the parents of the famous tap-dancing duo, the Nicholas Brothers. Both were college-educated professional musicians who performed together in pit orchestras for Black vaudeville shows during the 1910s and 1920s.1

Specifically, Viola was a classically trained pianist, and Ulysses was a drummer. In the 1920s, they formed their own musical group known as the Nicholas Collegians. They played a significant role in their sons' early exposure to show business, often bringing them to theaters for practices and performances, which provided the brothers with an early education in the entertainment industry.1