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NEW YORK – Judith Jamison, the internationally acclaimed dancer who later served as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for two decades, has died. She was 81 years old.
Elie company spokesman Christopher Zunner confirmed to The Associated Press that Jameson died surrounded by close friends on Saturday after a brief illness in New York.
“We remember and are grateful for his artistry, humanity and incredible light, which inspired us all,” Zunner said.
Jamison grew up in Philadelphia and trained in ballet from a young age. At a time when black dancers were rare in ballet, she debuted at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965.
Tall, beautiful and expressive, she became one of the company’s most famous performers and an inspiration for Ellie. Jameson starred in two of Ailey’s major dances, “Revelations” and “Cry”. She danced with the Ailey Company for 15 years before going on to perform on Broadway and as a guest artist with other ballet companies.
Jamison later returned to the Ely Company as artistic director for 20 years. He is widely credited with helping create one of the most successful dance companies in America
As a dancer, choreographer, director and speaker, her distinguished career transcended barriers of race and gender.
“She was a unique, brilliant dancer who was regal and queen-like. She danced with eloquence and integrity,” Sylvia Waters, artistic director emerita of Ellie II, said Saturday after news of Jameson’s death.
Waters said, “Dancing with him and being in his energy field was mesmerizing.” “I was fortunate to perform with him and he set the bar very, very high.”
Jamison’s directorship at the Alley Theater “sustained the company and helped it grow. She was a brilliant speaker, a strong leader and ran a tight ship,” Waters said.
Jamison’s fascinating images, including photos, videos, and a sculpture, are currently on display in an exhibition about the work of the Ely Company at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.
Jamison was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1999. Other honors included the National Medal of Arts and the Handel Medallion, New York City’s highest cultural award.
Journalist Amy Taxin in Santa Ana, California, contributed to this story.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without any modifications to the text.
