Jamison, Judith (1943–)

African-American dancer and choreographer. Born May 10, 1943, in Philadelphia, PA; dau. of John Jamison (sheet-metal mechanic) and Tessie (Bell) Jamison (part-time teacher); attended Philadelphia Dance Academy and John Kerr's Dance School; m. Miguel Godreau (dancer), Dec 1972 (div.).

Regal in stature, was acclaimed for her impeccable technique and individualistic style, the result of an eclectic training program that included classical ballet and a wide variety of modern-dance disciplines; made NY debut as Mary Seaton in Agnes de Mille's ballet The Four Marys (Feb 1965); debuted with Alvin Ailey's Dance Theater in Conga Tango Palace (1965), followed by Revelations; made mark as a principal dancer with Dance Theater (1967–80), performing in a number of memorable roles, including Voudoun Erzuile in Holder's The Prodigal Prince, the Mother in Knoxville: Summer of 1915, and the Sun in Hoving's Icarus; was also seen in Panambi, Masakela Language, Cry, Mary Lou's Mass and The Lark Ascending; left Ailey company to perform in Broadway musical Sophisticated Ladies (1980); formed own company, the Jamison Project (1988); following Ailey's death (1989), named artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Alvin Alley American Dance Center, one of the few women to head up a major dance company. Among the recipients of Kennedy Center Honors (1999).

See also autobiography (with Howard Kaplan) Dancing Spirit (Doubleday, 1993); and Women in World History.