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Judith Jamison

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Judith Jamison
Jamison in 2012
Born(1943-05-10)May 10, 1943
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedNovember 9, 2024(2024-11-09) (aged 81)
New York City, U.S.
EducationFisk University
University of the Arts
Occupation(s)Dancer (1964–1988)
Artistic director (1989–2011)
Years active1964–2011
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Spouse
Miguel Godreau
​
​
(m. 1972; ann. 1974)​
Career
Current groupAlvin Ailey Dance Theater
Former groups
DancesCry, Revelations

Judith Ann Jamison (/ˈdʒæmɪˌsən/;[2] May 10, 1943 – November 9, 2024) was an American dancer and choreographer. She danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1965 to 1980 and was Ailey's muse. She later returned to be the company's artistic director from 1989 until 2011, and then its artistic director emerita. She received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1999, the National Medal of Arts in 2001, and the Handel Medallion, New York City's highest cultural honor, in 2010.

Early training

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Judith Jamison was born in 1943 to Tessie Brown Jamison and John Jamison Sr.[3] and grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her parents and older brother.[4] Her father taught her to play the piano and violin. She was exposed to the prominent art culture in Philadelphia very early. She began her dance training at the Judimar School of Dance at six.[5] There she studied with Marion Cuyjet,[5] who became one of Jamison's early mentors. Under Cuyjet's tutelage, Jamison studied classical ballet and modern dance. The Judimar studios were treated as a "holy place", and Cuyjet's classes always had a sense of performance and theatricality.[6] By the age of eight, Jamison began dancing en pointe and started taking classes in tap, acrobatics, and Dunham technique (which was referred to as "primitive").[7]

A few years later, Cuyjet began sending Jamison to other teachers to advance her dance education. She learned the Cecchetti method from Antony Tudor, founder of the Philadelphia Ballet Guild. She studied with Delores Brown Abelson, a graduate of Judimar who pursued a performance career in New York City before returning to Philadelphia to teach. Throughout high school, Jamison was also a member of numerous sports organizations, the Glee Club, and the Philadelphia String Ensemble. She studied Dalcroze Eurhythmics, a system that teaches rhythm through movement.[8]

At the age of 17, Jamison graduated from Judimar; she began her collegiate studies at Fisk University.[9] After three semesters there, she transferred to the Philadelphia Dance Academy (now the University of the Arts), where she studied dance with James Jamieson, Nadia Chilkovsky, and Yuri Gottschalk. In addition to her technique classes, she took courses in Labanotation, kinesiology, and other dance studies. During this time, she also learned the Horton technique from Joan Kerr, which required great strength, balance, and concentration.[6]

In 1992, Jamison was inducted into Delta Sigma Theta sorority as an honorary member.[10]

Performance career

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In 1964, after seeing Jamison in a master class, Agnes de Mille invited her to come to New York City to perform in a new work that she was choreographing for American Ballet Theatre, The Four Mary's.[6] Jamison immediately accepted the offer and spent the next few months working with the company. When the performances ended and she found herself in New York without a job, Jamison attended an audition by Donald McKayle. She felt she performed poorly in the audition and claimed, "I felt as if I had two left feet."[6] However, a few days later, a friend of McKayle's, Alvin Ailey, called Jamison to offer her a place in his company – Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.[11]

Jamison premiered with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater at Chicago's Harper Theater Dance Festival in 1965 in Congo Tango Palace; in 1966, she toured Europe and Africa with the company. Jamison had always had a strong interest in African identity; therefore, traveling to Africa with the company and having the opportunity to observe the culture first-hand was an exciting and valuable experience for her.[4] Unfortunately, soon afterward, financial complications forced Ailey to put his company on a temporary hiatus. During this time, Jamison danced with Harkness Ballet and assisted the artistic director. However, she immediately returned to Alvin Ailey Dance Theater when the company re-formed in 1967. Jamison spent the next thirteen years dancing with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and was Ailey's muse.[5] "A performer of great intelligence, warmth and wit," said The New York Times,[5] Jamison learned over seventy ballets. "With Ailey's troupe, Jamison did many U.S. State Department tours of Europe, going behind the Iron Curtain as well as into Asia and Turkey. She danced quite a bit in Germany, which she said became her "second home".[1] Throughout her performance career with the company, she danced in many of Ailey's most renowned works, including Blues Suite and Revelations.[11]

On May 4, 1971, Jamison premiered the famous solo, Cry. Alvin Ailey choreographed this sixteen-minute dance as a birthday present for his mother, Lula Cooper, and later dedicated it to "all-black women everywhere, especially our mothers."[12] The solo is intensely physical and emotionally draining to perform. It celebrates the journey of a woman coming out of a troubled and painful world and finding the strength to overcome and conquer. Jamison never ran the full piece from start to finish until the premiere. Cry became her signature piece.[13] The piece and Jamison's performance received standing ovations and overwhelming critical acclaim at the premiere, rewarding Jamison with great fame and recognition throughout the dance world. Today, Cry remains a crowd favorite and is still featured in the company's repertoire.[14]

Throughout her years with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Jamison continued to perform worldwide. Along with her work with Ailey's company, she also appeared as a guest artist with the Cullberg Ballet, Swedish Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and numerous other companies. Jamison danced alongside many renowned dancers, including the ballet legend Mikhail Baryshnikov, in a duet, Pas de Duke, choreographed by Alvin Ailey in 1976.[15] Finally, in 1980, she left Ailey's company to perform in the Broadway musical, Sophisticated Ladies. It was Jamison's first stage experience outside of concert dance, and she admitted it was initially very challenging for her. It was a completely different performance atmosphere and required various new skills.[16]

The Jamison Project

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In addition to performing, Jamison wanted to explore working with a group of dancers. She began teaching master classes at Jacob's Pillow in 1981 and soon began choreographing works. She later formed The Jamison Project with dancers who strongly desired to work and learn. The Project premiered on November 15, 1988, at the Joyce Theater in New York City, performing works such as Divining, Time Out, and Tease. Jamison later invited guest choreographers, including Garth Fagan, to set work for the company.[17]

Return to Alvin Ailey Dance Theater as artistic associate and artistic director

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In 1988, Jamison returned to Alvin Ailey Dance Theater as an artistic associate. Upon Ailey's death, on December 1, 1989, she assumed the role of artistic director and dedicated the next 21 years of her life to the company's success.[18] Alvin Ailey Dance Theater continued to thrive as Jamison continued to rehearse and restage classics from the company's repertory, as well as to commission distinguished choreographers to create new works for the dancers. Jamison also continued choreographing and creating dances such as Forgotten Time, Hymn, Love Stories, and Among Us for the company. In July 2011, Jamison transitioned into the role of artistic director emerita and appointed Robert Battle to the position of artistic director designate.[19]

Personal life and death

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Jamison married Miguel Godreau, a dancer with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, in 1972. In 1974, their marriage was annulled.[20]

Following a brief illness, Jamison died at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City on November 9, 2024. She was 81.[5]

Choreography by Jamison

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Jamison represented women as strong and self-reliant in her choreography.[21]

  • Divining (1984)[22]
  • Forgotten Time (1989)[23]
  • Rift (1991)[24]
  • Hymn (a tribute to Alvin Ailey) (1993)[25]
  • Riverside (1995)[26]
  • Sweet Release (1996)[27]
  • Echo: Far From Home (1998)[28]
  • Double Exposure (2000)[29]
  • Here...Now (2001)[30]
  • Love Stories (in collaboration with Robert Battle and Rennie Harris) (2004)[31]
  • Reminiscin' (2005)[32]
  • Among Us (Private Spaces: Public Places) (2009)[33]

Writing

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  • Dancing Spirit, Jamison's autobiography, was published by Doubleday in 1993.[34]

Awards

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Daniels, Mary (July 19, 1987). "Jamison: On Her Toes in the Kitchen". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  2. ^ Keogh, Annette (2010). "Judith Jamison". Stanford Presidential Lectures in the Arts and Humanities. Archived from the original on January 5, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "Judith Jamison". History Makers Online. August 30, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  4. ^ a b DeFrantz, Thomas (November 11, 2011). "Great Performances: Judith Jamison, Free To Dance". Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e Seibert, Brian (November 9, 2024). "Judith Jamison, Alvin Ailey Dancer of 'Power and Radiance,' Dies at 81". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Jamison, Judith (1993). Dancing Spirit. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0385425575.
  7. ^ Sommers, Pamela (May 6, 1990). "Judith Jamison, Branching Out". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  8. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (February 24, 1996). "Classic Dance and Race: A Story Still Unfolding". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  9. ^ "Great Performances: Free To Dance – Biographies – Judith Jamison". PBS. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  10. ^ Craige, Brent (May 11, 2022). "Dancer and Choreographer Judith Jamison Is A Member Of Delta Sigma Theta". Watch The Yard. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Institution, Smithsonian. "Judith Jamison: Dancer and Choreographer". Smithsonian Institution. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  12. ^ "Repertory: Cry". Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation. February 9, 2010. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  13. ^ "Judith Jamison." Britannica Academic, Encyclopædia Britannica, December 14, 2021.
  14. ^ Pressroom, Ailey. "Cry". Ailey Pressroom. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  15. ^ Long, Richard A. (1989). The Black Tradition in American Dance. New York: Rizzoli International. ISBN 978-0847810925.
  16. ^ Hill, Chanel (February 9, 2021). "Black History Month: Profile on legendary dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison". The Philadelphia Tribune. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  17. ^ Levy, Suzanne (May 14, 1990). "THE JAMISON'S JUMPING JOLTS OF ENERGY". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  18. ^ "Judith Jamison". Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation. February 9, 2010. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  19. ^ "Dance: Judith Jamison and Alvin Ailey". Vogue. December 2, 2009. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  20. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (September 2, 1996). "Miguel Godreau, a Lead Dancer With Alvin Ailey, Dies at 49". New York Times. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  21. ^ Kelemen, Carolyn (February 5, 2020). "Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicks off a week long run at the Kennedy Center". DC Metro Theater Arts. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  22. ^ Anderson, Jack (December 25, 1985). "DANCE: AILEY TROUPE IN JAMISON'S 'DIVINING'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  23. ^ Anderson, Jack (January 25, 1990). "Review/Dance; Mystic Aura in Jamison's 'Forgotten Time'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  24. ^ "Ailey Company Gets New Judith Jamison Work". AP NEWS. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  25. ^ "A HYMN FOR ALVIN AILEY". DOC NYC. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  26. ^ Sommers, Pamela (February 15, 1996). "ALVIN AILEY: AN ACT OF LOVE". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  27. ^ Segal, Lewis (February 22, 1997). "Marsalis' Jazz Score Drives Jamison's 'Sweet Release'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  28. ^ Kisselgoff, Anna (December 9, 1999). "DANCE REVIEW; Mystery, Spunk and Sass In Echoes From the Past". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  29. ^ Wertheimer, Ron (July 25, 2000). "Footlights". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  30. ^ "Judith Jamison: The Human Body as Song | Performing Arts". www.noirguides.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  31. ^ "Judith Jamison talks about Love Stories". KCUR – Kansas City news and NPR. November 18, 2004. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  32. ^ "AAADT's Jamar Roberts and Jacqueline Green in A Case of You excerpt from Judith Jamison's Reminiscin'. Photo by Paul Kolnik (2)". CriticalDance. February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  33. ^ Rocco, Claudia La (December 6, 2009). "Pictures at an Exhibition Set Off an Energetic Display of Private Dramas". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  34. ^ Jamison, Judith (1993). Dancing spirit : an autobiography. Howard Kaplan. New York: Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-42557-0. OCLC 28338903.
  35. ^ "CANDACE AWARD RECIPIENTS 1982–1990, Page 2". National Coalition of 100 Black Women. Archived from the original on March 14, 2003.
  36. ^ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". www.achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  37. ^ Escoyne, Courtney (May 4, 2023). "TBT: How Judith Jamison Started Dancing for Alvin Ailey". Dance Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  38. ^ "A Celebration of Judith Jamison in her Final Year as Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  39. ^ "'Kennedy Center Honors': A Salute Without the Snap". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  40. ^ "Judith Jamison". Television Academy. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  41. ^ "President Bush Announces 2001 Arts and Humanities Medalists". The National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  42. ^ "Bodacious Women of God: JUDITH JAMISON". archive.constantcontact.com. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  43. ^ "Explore Our History". Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  44. ^ "Award Archive". The Bessies. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  45. ^ "Honorary Degrees". Brown University. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  46. ^ "'THE BET HONORS' Kicks Off Inauguration Weekend with an Exhilarating Evening Dedicated to Mary J. Blige, Tyler Perry, Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, the Honorable Congressman James E. Clyburn, B. Smith and Judith Jamison". www.betpressroom.com. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  47. ^ "The 2009 TIME 100 – TIME". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  48. ^ "Remarks by the President at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards Dinner". whitehouse.gov. September 18, 2010. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  49. ^ "MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND MERYL STREEP PRESENT 2010 MAYOR'S AWARDS FOR ARTS & CULTURE AT ALICE TULLY HALL" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  50. ^ "2018 BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Awards Hosted by Queen Latifah Returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's Prudential Hall in Newark, New Jersey, Taping on Sunday, August 26". www.businesswire.com. August 21, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2023.

Further reading

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