Lester Horton

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Lester Horton 1906–53, American modern dancer, choreographer, and teacher, b. Indianapolis. Moving to California in 1928, Horton formed his own company in Los Angeles and also performed in theater, films, and nightclubs. He became one of the country's most influential choreographers, incorporating such diverse elements as Native American dances and modern jazz into works of striking originality and drama. His influence is reflected in the work of his pupil Alvin Ailey . Other well-known dancers who worked in his company include Carmen deLavallade, Arthur Mitchell , and James Truitte. Horton's company continued to perform after his death until 1960.

Horton, Lester (b Indianapolis, 23 Jan. 1906, d Los Angeles, 2 Nov. 1953). US dancer, choreographer, and teacher. He studied with Bolm in Chicago but his most formative influences were the Japanese dance actor Michio Ito and the dance of Native American Indians. In 1928 he choreographed the pageant The Song of Hiawatha and moved with the production to California, where he was based for most of his career. In 1934 he formed his own company, Lester Horton Dancers, with which he danced and for which he choreographed many works. Although based on the West Coast the company also appeared in New York and Jacob's Pillow. A neck injury forced him to retire from performing in 1944 but he continued to choreograph, and design, dances for his company and also for film and night-clubs. His distinctive dance style emphasized a powerful stillness in the torso from which radiated asymmetrical movements of the limbs. In 1948 he opened his own theatre in Los Angeles. His best-known work, The Beloved, has been performed by many companies including Ailey's and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Other works include Salome (percussion accompaniment, 1934), Conquest (mus. Lou Harrison, 1938), and Totem Incantation (mus. Judith Hamilton, 1948). He was an influential teacher, his pupils including de Lavallade, Lewitsky, Trisler, and Ailey.