This past Sunday marked the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company’s final New York performance with the legendary Judith Jamison serving as Artistic Director.
A native of Philadelphia, Jamison began dancing at only ten years old, and later attended Fisk University and the Philadelphia Dance Company. She joined Ailey’s company under the direction of the late choreographer in 1965, becoming a principal dancer (and Ailey muse) shortly thereafter.
Jamison departed in 1980 to star in the Broadway musical, Sophisticated Ladies, based on the music of Duke Ellington. She was selected by Ailey to replace himself as Artistic Director for the company and did so following his death in 1989.
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article courtesy of Newsone.com
