Dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - Constance Stamatiou, Jacquelin Harris, and Samantha Figgins perform Cry in tribute to Judith Jamison on the Jennifer Hudson Show!
The late Judith Jamison, a transformative figure in modern dance at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, was honored with a resolution designating May 10 as Judith Jamison Day, an annual recognition of her artistic brilliance, cultural impact, and leadership. The date now stands as an annual tribute to a woman who reshaped the possibilities of performance and empowered generations of dancers after it was passed by the City Council on May 1.
Dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison had her own divine grace on stage. As the former artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, she could communicate through movement what poets do in words. "We just happen to be very blessed because we've been given the gift of dance," she said in 1991.
The ovation lasted for almost 10 minutes. The solo that prompted it was only six minutes longer. Before the premiere of Alvin Ailey’s “Cry” in 1971, Judith Jamison was hardly an unknown quantity. But after it, she was a singular sensation, a headliner, the embodiment of poise and power. From then on she was unofficially America’s most celebrated Black female dancer — maybe even the world’s.
Since its inception, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has become a staple in popular culture, while using the art of modern dance to unite people from all walks of life. In celebration of its 65th season, the company has partnered with Google Arts & Culture to highlight the life and impact of Alvin Ailey, his iconic dance company and its major contributors, and more.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is getting ready to celebrate its 65th anniversary season at the New York City Center on November 29. Opening night will include a special tribute to trailblazer and iconic Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison. The highly acclaimed former dancer sat down with Kemberly Richardson in a rare interview. The now 80-year-old, who is retired, is still very much involved with the dance company.
Dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey created nearly 80 ballets in his career, but none is as well-known and well-loved as Revelations. Ailey was only 29 when he created the masterpiece inspired by his experience growing up in church in the South. He used movement and music to tell a beautiful story of the despair, hope and joy of the Black experience. And it has been beloved by audiences for over 60 years.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been performing its founder's signature work, Revelations, all over the world for 60 years. Lyndsey Winship talks to dancers past and present about the meaning and the humanity of this historic piece.
For more than 60 years, the spiritual power of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s signature work has stunned audiences including Obama. Here, company members explain what it’s like to dance a masterpiece.
“There is about her an aura of mysticism. She appears onstage, larger than life, more an apparition than a performer, compelling us to look upon her as we might a temple dancer—with a sense of religiosity, of awe.” Those were the opening lines of Olga Maynard’s November 1972 Dance Magazine cover story on Judith Jamison, then in her late 20s and at the height of her powers as a star performer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.