NEW YORK — Judith Jamison, an internationally renowned dancer who was later artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for two decadesdied. She was 81 years old.
Jamison died at a New York hospital surrounded by family and friends following a brief illness, Christopher Zunner, a spokesperson for Ailey, confirmed in a statement to CBS News.
“We remember and are grateful for his artistry, his humanity and his incredible light, which inspired us all,” Zunner said.
Jamison grew up in Philadelphia and trained in ballet there from an early age. At a time when black dancers were rare in ballet, she began with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965.
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Tall, graceful and expressive, she became one of the company’s most famous performers and a muse for Ailey. Jamison had a starring role in two of Ailey’s signature dances, “Revelations” and “Cry.” She danced with the Ailey company for 15 years before moving on to perform on Broadway and as a guest artist with other ballet companies.
Jamison then returned to the Ailey company as artistic director for 20 years. He is widely credited with helping to make it one of the most successful dance companies in the United States.
As a dancer, choreographer, director and speaker, her distinguished career has crossed barriers of race and gender.
“She was a unique, spectacular, majestic and regal dancer. She danced with eloquence and integrity,” Sylvia Waters, artistic director emeritus of Ailey II, said Saturday after Jamison’s death was announced.
“Dancing with her and being in her sphere of energy was fascinating,” Waters said. “I had the chance to play with her and she set the bar very, very high.”
Jamison’s leadership of the Ailey Theater “supported the company and helped it grow. She was an eloquent speaker, a strong leader and ran a strong ship,” Waters said.
Jamison’s striking images, including photos, videos and a sculpture, are currently on display in an exhibition of Ailey’s work at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.
Jamison received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1999. Other honors include the National Medal of Arts and the Handel Medallion, New York City’s highest cultural honor.
