Judith Jamison Memorial

Yesterday the dance world lost an icon—Judith Jamison, illustrious dancer and Ailey’s successor as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Below I’ve quoted Ms. Jamison from her 1993 autobiography, ‘Dancing Spirit’: 

“There’s a different feeling each time someone is not there, which is a justified feeling, a marvelous, valid feeling. Everything has to change anyway. Everything has to go through metamorphoses. In the general picture, dance has to change.”

“You always miss uniqueness. People are irreplaceable because of their total uniqueness, and it’s particularly evident and obvious in the Ailey company with personalities that are indelibly impressed on your heart. The legacy that they leave is untouchable. You can remember them with great love, but your eyes have to be open for the next discovery that continues the lineage that’s been going on since the first man stopped out on the continent."

I had hoped to someday interview Ms Jamison, and had reached out to her representatives twice this past year but never heard back. Fortunately she wrote her autobiography and was interviewed extensively! I compiled a playlist on YouTube with several in-depth interviews she has done.