Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • WeLoveUs.shop
  • 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • News

Judith Jamison

Judith Jamison
By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
01
Dancing Queen

Judith Jamison, the iconic dance legend celebrates her 20th and final year as the Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Jamison joined the company as a dancer in 1965 and was the lead for 15 years.



Photo: Jack Mitchell

Judith Jamison
Alvin Ailey Dance Company
02
Ailey and Jamison

Judith Jamison became the Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1989 at the request of her mentor, Alvin Ailey, who chose her to succeed him before his untimely death.

Judith Jamison
Alvin Ailey Dance Company
03
Cry

Alvin Ailey choreographed his signature solo “Cry” in 1971 as a birthday present for his mother using his muse, Judith Jamison.




Photo: Courtesy of the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Archives

Judith Jamison
R. Faligant
04
Baryshnikov and Jamison

Mikhail Baryshnikov, superstar of classical ballet, and Judith Jamison, star of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, in a lively version of the hustle. They are at a press conference to announce the world premiere of a new duet choreographed for them by Alvin Ailey.




Photo: © Bettmann/CORBIS
DATE PHOTOGRAPHED
April 22, 1976

Judith Jamison
Corbis
05
Cuban Imports

Original caption: At a rehearsal for a benefit, Judith Jamison joins Maria Llorente and Lazaro Carreno, 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.





PHOTO:
© Bettmann/CORBIS
DATE PHOTOGRAPHED
May 03, 1977

Judith Jamison
Corbis
06
Work-In-Progress

Judith Jamison, Wynton Marsalis and Karine Plantadit-Bageot.



Photo by Frank Stewart

Judith Jamison
07
Judith Jamison in ‘Revelations’

Judith Jamison in Alvin Ailey’s “Revelations.”




Photo: George Kalinsky.

Judith Jamison
08
Revelations

The genius stroke of choreography by Alvin Ailey, was first performed in 1960.




Photo: Andrew Eccles

Judith Jamison
Alvin Ailey Dance Company
09
Hymn

AAADT in Judith Jamison’s Emmy award-winning 1993 tribute to Alvin Ailey, “Hymn.”




Photo: Nan Melville

Judith Jamison
Nan Melville
10
Reminiscin’

Alicia J. Graf and Jamar Roberts in Judith Jamison’s “Reminiscin,’” inspired by female jazz singers. This work, first performed in 2005, was set to music by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Regina Carter and Diana Krall.




Photo: Paul Kolnik

Judith Jamison
Paul Kolnik
11
Renee Robinson in Reminiscin’

Renee Robinson of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Judith Jamison’s “Reminiscin’”.

Judith Jamison
Corbis
12
Among Us (Private Spaces, Public Places)

Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theater’s Clifton Brown in Judith Jamison’s “Among Us (Private Spaces, Public Places).” The work will premiere this season.




Photo by Paul Kolnik.

Judith Jamison
Paul Kolnik
13
Love Stories

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Clifton Brown in Judith Jamison, Robert Battle and Rennie Harris’ “Love Stories.”




Photo: Paul Kolnik.

Judith Jamison
14
The Next Generation

Judith Jamison and students from The Ailey School during the parade at the 2002 groundbreaking ceremony for Ailey’s home, The Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York City. The institution is the largest dance facility in the Unites States, carrying Ailey’s legend into the new century.




Photo by Kwame Brathwaite

Judith Jamison
15
Honored

BET Honoree Judith Jamison and actress Angela Basset backstage at the 2009 BET Honors event.

Judith Jamison
Getty Image
16
1

Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Judith Jamison, Dr. Jill Biden and Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater School, Denise Jefferson pose for photos at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Joan Weill Center for Dance on October 19, 2009 in New York City.

Judith Jamison
Getty Image
17
1

USA – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 50th Anniversary
Judith Jamison, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater speaka during the theater’s 50th anniversary celebration at the Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York City.

Judith Jamison
Corbis
18
1

KENNEDY CENTER HONOREES AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH CLINTON
Original caption: WAS10:CLINTON–AWARDS:WASHINGTON,5DEC99 – President Clinton® poses with 1999 Kennedy Center honorees at the White House prior to the Kennedy Center Honors gala in Washington, December 5. From left, are: comedian pianist Victor Borge, actor Sean Connery dancer and teacher Judith Jamison, actor Jason Robards, singer and songwriter Stevie Wonder and Clinton. Receipients are recognized for lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. sv/Photo by William Philpott REUTERS

Judith Jamison
Corbis
19
1

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director, Judith Jamison speaks at the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation gala benefit June 2, 2004 at the Apollo Theater in New York City.

Judith Jamison
Getty Image
20
Good Times

Dancers Geoffrey Holder and Judith Jamison attend the opening night performance celebrating Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 50th anniversary at the New York City Center on December 3, 2008 in New York City.

Judith Jamison
Getty Image