HUSL Today Salutes

Alvin Ailey

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Alvin Ailey was born on January 5, 1931.  He spent most of his younger years in Los Angeles where he was exposed to a wide range of dance styles and techniques. In 1954, he and his friend Carmen De Lavallade were invited to New York to dance in the Broadway show, House of Flowers by Truman Capote starring Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll. He also appeared in Sing, Man, Sing (1956) starring Harry Belafonte and in Jamaica (1957) with Lena Horne and Ricardo Montalbán.

Ailey formed his own group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in 1958. The group presented its inaugural concert on March 30, 1958. Notable early work included Blues Suite, a piece deriving from blues songs. Ailey's choreography was a dynamic and vibrant mix growing out of his previous training in ballet, modern dance, jazz, and African dance techniques. Ailey insisted upon a complete theatrical experience, including costumes, lighting, and make-up. A work of intense emotional appeal expressing the pain and anger of African Americans, Blues Suite was an instant success and defined Ailey's style.

Revelations is considered to be Ailey's signature work. He originally intended the dance to be the second part of a larger, evening-length survey of African-American music which he began with Blues Suite.

The performers of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre are exquisite and breathtaking. Check out Alvin Ailey's masterpiece Revelations. It is believed to be the best-known and most often seen dance performance. I love this!

In 1962 the U.S. State Department sponsored the Alvin Ailey Dance Company's first overseas tour. 

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In 1970, Ailey was honored by a commission to create The River for American Ballet Theatre. Ailey viewed The River, which he based on the music of composer Duke Ellington, as a chance to work with some of the finest ballet dancers in the world, particularly with the great dramatic ballerina Sallie Wilson. ABT, however, insisted that the leading male role be danced by the only black man, despite misgivings by Ailey and others about the dancer's talent.

Though Ailey created 79 works for his dancers, he maintained that his company was not merely a showcase for his own work. Today, the company continues Ailey's vision by performing important works from the past and commissioning new additions to the repertoire. In all, more than 200 works by over 70 choreographers have been performed by the company.
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Check out other videos of performances from his dance studio:









He passed away on December 1, 1989.  In 1992 Alvin Ailey was inducted into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame.

HUSL Today Salutes Alvin Ailey!!!