Judith Jamison, the American dancer and former artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, passed away over the weekend at 81. According to The Associated Press, Christopher Zunner, a spokesperson for Ailey, announced that Jamison passed away in New York on Saturday after a brief illness, surrounded by close friends.
Jamison began her ballet training at the age of six at the Judimar School of Dance. After years of dedication and practice, she joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965. There, she became one of the most prominent soloists for 15 consecutive years.
Following her tenure there, she performed as a guest dancer with various ballet companies and on Broadway. Eventually, Jamison returned to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as the artistic director, a role she held for 21 years and later advanced to the role of creative director emerita.
And not only was she iconic on the stage and in her choreography, she was also a well of timeless beauty inspiration. Her first performance of the legendary piece “Revelations” in 1970 when she rocked a wing eyeliner, bold eyeshadow and long eyelashes. Then, in 1973, she went to the United Kingdom to perform for their Alvin Ailey studio, wearing her natural hair and no makeup. The dancer rocked a head wrap with minimal makeup that following year at the Hidden Rites premiere in New York City.
In 1978, she performed Ailey’s legendary dance “Cry”—which he choreographed in honor of his mother and dedicated to Black women—with her natural hair. In 1979, she played Carola Polakov Resort showing off her natural chocolate skin in the Ready to Wear Advance. In her broadway debut, she had a starring role in “Sophisticated Ladies,” wearing a red lipstick, under eye wing eyeliner, and long eyelashes. Fast forward to 2018, Jamison attended the 2018 Black Girls Rock wearing a dramatic eyeliner and bald head to receive her Living Legend Award.
And a forever legend she is. We are endlessly grateful for Jamison’s works and inspiration across mediums. Her legacy will live on. Below, in celebration of Jamison’s beautiful life, a compilation of some of her most inspiring beauty moments over the years.
Dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison (C) performs with Linda Kent (L) and Sylvia Waters on stage in a scene from the Alvin Ailey musical production, ‘Revelations,’ 1970s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Judith Jamison (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage) *** Local Caption ***
Portrait of African American dancer and choreographer Judith Jameson, artistic director for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, New York, 1997. (Photo by Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)
CLAREMONT, CA – MAY 12: Judith Jamison attends Claremont Graduate School Forum on Social Responsibilites of the Arts Benefit on May 12, 1995 in Claremont, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
American dancer Judith Jamison performs ‘Cry,’ Alvin Ailey’s dance of praise to Mothers, with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, City Center, New York, New York, May 4, 1978. (Photo by Linda Vartoogian/Getty Images)
Dancer Judith Jamison in costume for her starring role in ‘Sophisticated Ladies’ on Broadway photographed in 1980. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 02: Honoree Dancer & Choreographer Judith Jamison attends the 2015 Library Lions Benefit on November 2, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Library Lions Benefit)
Portrait of American dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison, 1979. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
Portrait of American dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison, 1979. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
Dancer Judith Jamison photographed as she appeared in ‘Cry’. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
Dancer Judith Jamison photographed as she appeared in ‘Prodigal Prince’. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
Dancer Judith Jamison photographed in 1980. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
(Original Caption) Mikhail Baryshnikov, fancy stepper in the world of classical ballet joins Judith Jamison, star of the Alvin Ailey City Center Dance Theater, in a lively version of the hustle here 4/22. They are at a press conference to announce the 5/11 world premiere of a new duet choreographed for them by Alvin Ailey. The premiere is to benefit the dance group and Boys Harbor, Inc. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)
(Original Caption) At a 5/3 rehearsal for a 5/4 benefit, Judith Jamison (C) of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater joins Maria Llorente (R) and Lazaro Carreno (L), two young stars from the National Cuban Ballet, at City Center. Choreographer Alvin Ailey arranged for the two international prize winners to come to America for the benefit, which will aid the financially-strapped Ailey Theater and Boys Harbor, Inc.
Judith Jamison during Opening Night of A Raisin In The Sun on Broadway at The Royale Theater / Guastavino’s in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 16: Judith Jamison attends 2016 Fred And Adele Astaire Awards at NYU Skirball Center on May 16, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Rommel Demano/Getty Images)
Judith Jamison performing Revelations, 1967. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
NEW YORK CITY, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Judith Jamison attends Opening Night Arrivals of FELA! at The Eugene O’Neill Theatre on November 23, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by NICK HUNT /Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 22: Judith Jamison attends Logo’s 2017 Trailblazer Honors at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine on June 22, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Krista Kennell/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – AUGUST 26: Judith Jamison (Living Legend Award) attends the Black Girls Rock! 2018 Pre Dinner at Nico Kitchen & Bar on August 26, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for BET)
American dancer Judith Jamison of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, UK, 13th June 1973. (Photo by M. McKeown/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Judith Jamison for Carola Polakov Resort 1979 Ready to Wear Advance (Photo by Darleen Rubin/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Judith Jamison for Carola Polakov Resort 1979 Ready to Wear Advance (Photo by Darleen Rubin/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Dancer Judith Jamison discusses the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s “Hidden Rites” premiere in New York City on May 09, 1973. (Photo by Peter Simins/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 29: Judith Jamison attends Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 65th Anniversary Opening Night Gala at New York City Center on November 29, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
