Ailey, Alvin

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Ailey, Alvin (1931–89) US modern dancer and choreographer. Ailey studied dance with Martha Graham. In 1958 he formed the American Dance Theater and acted as its artistic director (1958–89). The company introduced many leading African-American and Asian dancers to worldwide audiences. His works, such as Roots of the Blues (1961), incorporate elements of jazz, African and modern dance.

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