He created 79 ballets over the course of his career. His work was a fusion of jazz, modern dance, classical ballet, and African and Caribbean movements which challenged his performers to reach great heights and also helped popularize dance across America.
Alvin Ailey, a dance luminary of the 20th Century and founder of the company which bears his name, was honored officially May 5 with the release of a new commemorative 37 cent postage stamp from the United States Postal Service.
The Ailey stamp is part of the American Choreographers stamp series, which also includes icons Martha Graham, Agnes de Mille and George Balanchine. The stamps were unveiled at ceremonies at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on May 4.
A native of Rogers, Texas, Ailey drew upon his “blood memories” of life there, the blues, spirituals and gospel as inspiration, which resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically acclaimed work, Revelations.
The U.S. Postal Service has recognized other prominent African Americans in recent memory, including Paul Robeson in January 2004, and Zora Neale Hurston and Thurgood Marshall in January 2003.