|
||
|
IDENTIFICATION AND BIO: Alvin Ailey was a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the most popular dance companies of the twentieth century, notable for its version of modern dance in an African-American idiom. After studying and performing with Lester Horton in Los Angeles, Ailey moved to New York and began working in the theater, performing dancing roles in the Broadway productions of House of Flowers and Jamaica. His own company catapulted into the limelight with the raging success of a 1958 program at New York's 92nd Street Y, a bill that included the newly choreographed Blues Suite. John Martin, dance critic of the New York Times, praised the piece as "inherently substantial stuff" and "an admirable piece of work all around." Ailey's most famous work, Revelations (1960), has been performed for tens of millions of people all around the world. Though the repertory of the Ailey company includes many classic modern dance works by choreographers such as Katherine Dunham, Pearl Primus, Talley Beatty, Donald McKayle, and George Faison, Ailey also commissioned works by contemporary modern dance choreographers such as Bill T. Jones and Ulysses Dove. Ailey himself choreographed seventy-nine works, including the following still in repertory: Blues Suite (1958), Revelations (1960), Quintet (1968), Masekela Langage (1969), Cry (1971), Night Creature (1975), Memoria (1979), and For Bird—With Love (1984). His many awards include the Dance Magazine Award (1975), the Capezio Award (1979), the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award (1987), and Kennedy Center Honors (1988). At his death, Ailey's doctor, Albert Knapp, announced the cause of his death as terminal blood dyscrasia, a rare disorder that affects the bone marrow and red blood cells. In the 1996 biography by Jennifer Dunning, Knapp revealed that the blood dyscrasia and other illnesses suffered by Ailey had been AIDS-related.
KEY CONTACT PERSON(S)/EXECUTOR OF ESTATE:
Black Archives of Mid-America
HUMAN REPOSITORIES OF THE WORK
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
Alvin Ailey (1987)—video created for the presentation of the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award to Alvin Ailey at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, on 7 June; interviews of Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, and others; one 3/4in. videocassette (8 min.); call number MGZIC 9-5650. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater [wide shot version] (1993)—compilation video including choreographic excerpts by Alvin Ailey; videotaped in performance for the Jerome Robbins Archive of the Recorded Moving Image by the Camera Group, with the assistance of grants from New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, at City Center, New York, on 17 December; three 3/4 in. videocassettes (96 min.); call number MGZIC 9-4167. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 35th Anniversary Opening Night Performance [edited version] (1993)—compilation video including choreographic excerpts by Alvin Ailey; videotaped in performance for the Jerome Robbins Archive of the Recorded Moving Image by the Camera Group, with the assistance of grants from New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, at City Center, New York, on 8 December; performed by the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater; three 3/4 in. videocassettes (117 min.); call number MGZIC 9-4169 (for wide shot version see call number MGZIC 9-4168). Alvin Ailey Memorial, WCBS-TV (1989)—news report on the special opening night performance, dedicated to the memory of Alvin Ailey and telecast on 6 December by WCBS-TV, New York; one 3/4 in. videocassette (3 min.); call number MGZIC 9-2146. Alvin Ailey: Memories and Visions (1974)—compilation video including choreographic excerpts by Alvin Ailey and performed by members of the Alvin Ailey City Center Dance Theater; one BETA cassette (54 min.); call number MGZIB 3-243. Americans All (197-?)—compilation video including choreographic excerpts by Alvin Ailey; documentary on the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, telecast on Americans all, ABC-TV with narration by Melba Tolliver; one cassette (11 min.); call number MGZIC 9-1491. An Evening with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (c1986)—compilation video including choreographic excerpts of Revelations and Cry by Alvin Ailey; performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and includes interviews with Ailey and Judith Jamison; one VHS cassette (108 min.); call number MGZIA 4-788. Capezio Award (1979)-videotape documentation of the presentation ceremony for the 28th Capezio Dance Award, presented to Alvin Ailey at the Library and Museum of the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, New York, on 23 April; includes Ailey's acceptance speech; one 3/4 in. videocassette (29 min.); call number MGZIC 9-333. Continuing Revelations (1992)—compilation video including Revelations and Blues Suite choreographed by Alvin Ailey; videotaped by Character Generators/Video for the Exhibition Program of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and for Dance Theater Foundation at the Bruno Walter Auditorium, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, New York, on 11 May; three 3/4 in. videocassettes (160 min.); call number MGZIC 9-3527. Dance of the Century: From Modernism to Post-Modernism: American Dance (c1992)—compilation video including choreographic excerpts of Alvin Ailey's Revelations; part four of a five-part series on the history of American modern dance; one 3/4 in. videocassette (53 min.); call number MGZIC 9-4500 cassette 4. Going Home: Alvin Ailey Remembered (1989)—tribute to Alvin Ailey, taped at his memorial service at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, New York, on 8 December; excerpts of Ailey's Revelations ("Fix Me," "I've Been Buked," "The Day is Past and Gone," "Rocka My Soul"), Love Songs ("A Song for You"), and Cry are performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; one 3/4 in. videocassette (59 min.); call number MGZIC 9-2129. In the Company of Alvin Ailey (1978)—Harry Belafonte interviews Alvin Ailey, who discusses his beginnings in dance, his company, choreography, and views on blacks' experience in dance; includes excerpts of Ailey conducting rehearsals of Flowers with Alistair Butler and Maxine Sherman, and Masekela Langage with Donna Wood; directed by Jon Merdin and produced by Alonzo F. Brown, Jr. and telecast on 28 November on WNET-TV's Skyline series; one 3/4 in. videocassette (30 min.); call number MGZIC 9-5821. Joyce Trisler, Dancer, Teacher, Choreographer (c1994)—compilation video [presented by the] Jerome Robbins Archive of the Recorded Moving Image, Dance Collection, The New York Public Library; includes interview with Alvin Ailey and video excerpt from Profile: Alvin Ailey; produced by ARC Videodance and telecast on Eye on Dance, 7 October; five videocassettes (276 min.); call number MGZIC 9-4662. Kennedy Center Honors (1978-1991)—compilation video including presentation to Alvin Ailey in 1988 and performance of Ailey's Revelations by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; recorded at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D. C. Telecast by CBS-TV; two VHS videocassettes (229 min.); call number MGZIA 4-1489. Profile: Alvin Ailey (1989)—compilation video produced as part of the Eye on Dance television series telecast on 7 October; one 3/4 in. videocassette (29 min.); call number MGZIC 9-3076. Revelations (1962)—choreography by Alvin Ailey and danced by Alvin Ailey, James Truitte, Minnie Marshall, Thelma Hill, and artists of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater; telecast on Lamp Unto My Feet on 4 March by WCBS-TV, New York; one 3/4 in. videocassette (29 min.); call number MGZIC 9-1602. Rocka My Soul (1967?)—choreography by Alvin Ailey and danced by Loretta Abbott, Enid Aytch, George Faison, Miguel Godreau, Consuelo Houston, Judith Jamison, Sharron Miller, Elbert Morris, Kelvin Rotardier, Lynne Taylor, James Truitte, and Dudley Williams with scenery by David Weber and lighting by Dan Jones; produced and directed by Gordon Kelly as a made-for-television documentary on the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; one 3/4 in. videocassette (27 min.); call number MGZIC 9-1492 (includes interview with Ailey). A Tribute to Alvin Ailey (c1990)—compilaton video including choreographic excerpts by Alvin Ailey; performed by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; dances introduced by artistic director Judith Jamison and by Ulysses Dove; one VHS videocassette (103 min.); call number MGZIA 4-588.
PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION
MOVEMENT NOTATION
PRODUCTION MATERIALS
ORAL HISTORY:
Cinq Choregraphes (c1983)—program spotlighting the work of five contemporary choreographers and including interviews by each (in order of appearance): Moses Pendleton, Carolyn Carlson, Jean-Claude Gallotta, Maurice Bejart, and Alvin Ailey; presented by Antenne 2 and King Productions; produced by Jean-Jacques Fourgeaud; one VHS videocassette (87 min.); call number MGZIA 4-4049 RNC (in French with English subtitles). Dance On: Alvin Ailey (1984)—interview of Alvin Ailey by Billie Mahoney taped on 6 May in New York City; part of the Dance On: With Billie Mahoney series; producer, Billie Mahoney; one 3/4 in. videocassette (30 min.); call number MGZIC 9-866. Like It Is (1971)—videorecording of panel discussion on black artists and modern dance including Alvin Ailey; telecast on 30 January by WABC-TV, New York on the series Like It Is. Produced by Charles Hobson; directed by Dan Fanelli; one 3/4 in. videocassette (60 min.); call number MGZIC 7-210.
PERSONAL PAPERS
IMMEDIATE NEEDS
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
COMPLETE LIST OF WORKS
According to Saint Francis (1953)—for Lester Horton Dancers; music by Gershon Kingsley; designs by Alvin Ailey Mourning Morning (1954)—for Lester Horton Dancers; music by Gertrude Robinson; designs by Alvin Ailey Creation of the World (1954)—for Lester Horton Dancers; music by Darius Milhaud Miss Julie (1956)—for Shirley Broughton Dance Company; music by Ravel Work Dances (1956)—music credited as "various contemporary" Ode and Homage (1958)—music by Peggy Glanville-Hicks; designs by Normand Maxon and Nicola Cernovitch Blues Suite (1958)—music credited as "traditional;" designs by Ves Harper and Nicola Cernovitch Ariettes Oubliee (1959)—music by Claude Debussy; designs by Normand Maxon and Nicola Cernovitch Cinco Latinos (1959)—music credited as "traditional;" designs by Normand Maxon and Nicola Cernovitch Soncera (1959)—music by Alejandro Caturla; designs by Thomas Wendlan and Nicola Cernovitch Jamaica (1959)—for Summer Stock; music by Harold Arlen African Holiday (1960)—music credited as "various contemporary" Revelations (1960)—music credited as "traditional;" designs by Ves Harper and Nicola Cernovitch Gillespiana (1960)—music by Lalo Schifrin; designs by Ves Harper and Nicola Cernovitch Knoxville Summer of 1915 (1961)—music by Samuel Barber; designs by Joop Stokvis and Nicola Cernovitch Creation of the World (1961)—for New Version; music by Darius Milhaud; designs by Ves Harpter and Nicola Cernovitch Three for Now-Modern Jazz Suite (1961)—music by Lalo Schifrin (Gillespie) Roots of the Blues (1961)—music credited as "traditional;" designs by Ves Harper and Nicola Cernovitch Hermit Songs (1961)—music by Samuel Barber; designs by Ves Harper and Nicola Cernovitch Been Here and Gone (1962)—music credited as "traditional folk;" designs by Ves Harper and Nicola Cernovitch Feast of Ashes (1962)—for the Joffrey Ballet; music by Carlos Surinach; designs by Irving Milton Duk, Jac Venza, and Thomas Skelton Reflections in D (1962)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Nicola Cernovitch Labyrinth (1963)—music by Lawrence Rosenthal; designs by Ves Harper and Nicola Cernovitch Rivers, Streams, Doors First Negro Centennial (1963)—music credited as "traditional folk"; designs by Ves Harper Light (1963)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Ves Harper The Blues Ain't (1963)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Ves Harper My Mother, My Father (1963)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Ves Harper The Twelve Gates (1964)—music credited as "traditional folk"; designs by Geoffrey Holder Ariadne (1964)—for Harkness Ballet; music by Andre Jolivet; designs by Ming Cho Lee, Theoni Aldredge, and Nicola Cerovitch Macumba (1966)—for Harkness Ballet; music by Rebekah Harkness; designs by Capuletti and Nicola Cernovitch El Amor Brujo (1966)—for Harkness Ballet; music by Manuel de Falla; designs by Nicola Cernovitch Anthony and Cleopatra (1966)—for the Metropolitan Opera; music by Samuel Barber; designs by Franco Zefferelli Riedaiglia (1967)—music by George Riedel; designs by Alvin Ailey and Nicola Cernovitch Quintet (1968)—music credited as "various contemporary" by Laura Nyro; designs by Matthew Cameron and Nicola Cernovitch Masekela Langage (1969)—music by Hugh Masekela; designs by William Hammond, Christina Giannini and Chenault Spence Streams (1970)—music by Miloslav Kabelac; designs by Chenault Spence Gympopedies (1970)—music by Eric Satie; designs by Chenault Spence The River (1970)—for American Ballet Theatre; music by Duke Ellington; designs by Frank Thompson and Nicola Cernovitch Flowers (1971)—music credited as "various contemporary" by Janice Joplin; designs by Christina Giannini and Nicola Cernovitch Archipelago (1971)—music by Andre Boucourechliev; designs by Christina Giannini and Nicola Cernovitch Choral Dances (1971)—music by Benjamin Britten; designs by Nicola Cernovitch Cry (1971)—music credited as "various contemporary" by Alice Coltrane, Laura Nyro, and Chunk Griffin; designs by Chenault Spence Mary Lou's Mass (1971)—music by Mary Lou Williams; designs by Christina Giannini and Chenault Spence Myth (1971)—music by Igor Stravinski; designs by Christina Ciannini and Chenault Spence The Mingus Dances (1971)—for the Joffrey Ballet; music by Charles Mingus; designs by Edward Burbridge, Christina Giannini and Thomas Skelton The Lark Ascending (1972)—music by Ralph Vaughan Williams; designs by Bea Feitler and Chenault Spence Mass (1972)—for the Kennedy Center Opening; music by Leonard Bernstein; designs by Oliver Smith, Frank Thompson and Gilbert Hemsley Shaken Angels (1972)—for Dennis Wayne and Bonnie Mathis; music credited as "various contemporary" by Pink Floyd, Bill Withers and Alice Cooper; designs by Christina Holder and Chenault Spence Lord Byron (1972)—music by Virgil Thompson; designs by David Mitchell, Patricia Zipprodt and Joe Pacitti Love Songs (1972)—music credited as "various contemporary" by Donny Hathaway and Nina Simone; designs by Ursula Reed and Shirley Prendergast Sea Change (1972)—for American Ballet Theatre; music by Benjamin Britten; designs by Oliver Smith, Frank Thompson and Chenault Spence Carmen (1973)—for the Metropolitan Opera; music by Georges Bizet; designs by Joseph Swoboda, David Walker and Rudy Kuntner Four Saints in Three Acts (1973)—for the Metropolitan Opera; music by Virgil Thompson; designs by Ming Cho Lee, Jane Greenwood and Shirley Prendergast Hidden Rites (1973)—music by Patrice Sciortino; designs by Bea Feitler and Chenault Spence Ailey Celebrates Ellington (1974)—for CBS TV; music by Duke Ellington; designs by Randy Barcelo Night Creature (1974)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Jane Greenwood and Chenault Spence The Mooche (1974)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Randy Barcelo and Chenault Spence The Blues Ain't (1974)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Randy Barcelo Sonnet for Caesar (1974)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Jane Greenwood Sacred Concert (1974)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Jane Greenwood Black, Brown & Beige (1976)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Randy Barcelo and Chenault Spence Pas de "Duke" (1976)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Rouben Ter-Arutunian and Chenault Spence Three Black Kings (1976)—music by Duke Ellington and Mercer Ellington; designs by Normand Maxon and Chenault Spence Passage (1978)—music by Hale Smith; designs by Romare Beardon, Normand Maxon and Chenault Spence Sigaon! Children of the Diaspora (1978)—for the Bat-Dor Company; music credited as "various contemporary;" designs by Tamara Yuval and Chenault Spence Memoria (1978)—music by Keith Jarrett; designs by Christina Giannini and Chenault Spence Phases (1980)—music by Pharoah Sanders, Donald Byrd and Max Roach; designs by Christina Giannini and Chenault Spence The River (1981)—music by Duke Ellington; designs by Christina Giannini and Chenault Spence Landscape (1981)—music by Bela Bartok; designs by Christina Giannini and Chenault Spence Spell (1981)—music by Keith Jarrett; designs by Randy Barcelo and Chenault Spence Satyriade (1982)—music by Maurice Ravel; designs by Carol Vollet Garner and Chenault Spence Au Bord Du Precipice (1983)—for Paris Opera Ballet; music by Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays; designs by Carol Vollet Garner and Chenault Spence Escapades (1983)—for Aterbeletto Reggio Emilia Italy; musicy by Max Roach; designs by Carol Vollet Garner and Chenault Spence For "Bird"—With Love (1984)—music by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Jerome Kern and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson; designs by Randy Barcelo and Timothy Hunter Caverne Magica (1986)—music by Andreas Vollenweider; designs by Carol Vollet Garner and Timothy Hunter Witness (1986)—music credited as "traditional" by Jessie Norman; designs by Kirsten Lund Nielsen Survivors (1986)—music by Max Roach; designs by Toni Leslie James, Douglas Grekin and Timothy Hunter La Dea delle Acque (1988)—for La Scala Opera Ballet; music by Carmen Moore; designs by Randy Barcelo and Timothy Hunter Opus McShann (1988)—music by Jay McShann and others, designs by Randy Barcelo and Timothy Hunter
|
||
|
index of choreographers »
TOP |
