Judith Jamison, iconic dancer and leader of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, dies at 81

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was shaped in part by the renowned dancer and artistic director Judith Jamison, who passed away at the age of 81. After a brief illness, she died in a New York hospital with her loved ones by her side, the dance company said in a statement.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Jamison began ballet at an early age. She became a star at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965 thanks to her tall, elegant frame. She was the inspiration behind some of Alvin Ailey’s most well-known dances, such as “Cry,” a stirring solo that helped her gain widespread acclaim. She also played the lead in “Revelations,” Ailey’s well-known work.

She turned the dance theater into one of the nation’s most prosperous modern dance groups over the course of the following 20 years. She brought in new pieces from other choreographers, helped the company expand, and helped her dancers perform to the best of their abilities. Throughout her life, Jamison was awarded numerous honors, such as the National Medal of Arts and the Kennedy Center Honors. Her influence extended beyond dancing; her power, talent, and commitment to presenting African American culture on stage motivated others. Her images and videos are currently on show as part of an exhibition on the Ailey company at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.