Judith Jamison, Transcendent Dancer and Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey Company, Dies at 81

Judith Jamison, an internationally acclaimed dancer who later served as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for two decades, has died. She was 81.

Jamison died after a brief illness in New York on Saturday, surrounded by close friends, Christopher Zunner, an Ailey spokesperson, confirmed to The Associated Press.

"We remember and are grateful for her artistry, humanity and incredible light, which inspired us all," Zunner said.

Jamison, who was originally from Philadelphia and trained in ballet starting at the age of 6 at the Judimar School of Dance, began dancing with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965.

She became one of the company's most famous performers and danced there for 15 years before leaving to perform as a guest artist with other ballet companies and on Broadway, according to the Ailey website.

Jamison later returned and served as the company's artistic director for 20 years, the site says. The dance company honored Jamison last year at its annual opening night gala celebrating its 65th season.