Book Review

Jessica Martin
Professor Williams
African-American History
5/4/14


Book Review
Alvin was born in Rogers, Texas to his mother Lula Elizabeth Ailey. She was 17 years
old at the time. His father, who was also named Alvin, abandoned him and his mom when he
was only six months old. Alvin grew up during the great depression so he and his mother moved
from place to place often, and had a hard time finding work. He also grew up where racial
segregation still existed. He often saw violence, and lynchings of many African-Americans.
When he was five years old his mother was raped by a group of white men, leaving him afraid of
whites. His experiences in the southern Baptist church and juke joints instilled in him a fierce
sense of black pride that would later contribute significantly in Aileys Signature works. In 1942,
like many African-Americans, Aileys mother migrated to Los Angeles, California because she
heard about work supporting the war effort. Ailey joined her when he was finished out the school
year. He was 11.
Ailey's first junior high school in California was located in a primarily white school
district. As one of the few black students, Ailey felt out of place because of his fear of whites, so
the Aileys moved to a predominantly black school district. He matriculated at George
Washington Carver Junior High School, and later attended the Thomas Jefferson High School.
He sang spirituals in the glee club, wrote poetry, and demonstrated a talent for languages. He
regularly attended shows at Lincoln Theater and the Orpheum Theater. Ailey did not become
Book Review

serious about dance until 1949. His school friend Carmen De Lavallade introduced him to
the Hollywood studio of Lester Horton.
Lester Horton would prove to a major influence in Aileys life, becoming a mentor and
giving him both a technique and a foundation to grow artistically. Horton's school taught a wide
range of dance styles and techniques, including classical ballet, jazz, and Native American
dance. Ailey was, at first, hesitant about becoming a professional dancer. He had studied
Romance languages at various universities in California but was restless, academically, and took
courses as well in the writings of James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, and Carson McCullers. He
moved to San Francisco to continue his studies in 1951. There, he met Marguerite Johnson, who
later changed her name to Maya Angelou. They occasionally performed a nightclub act called
"Al and Rita". Ailey earned a living waiting tables and dancing at the New Orleans Champagne
Supper Club. Eventually, he returned to study dance with Horton in southern California.
He joined Horton's company in 1953, making his debut in Horton's Revue Le Bal Caribe.
It was during this period that Ailey performed in several Hollywood films. Like all of Horton's
students, Ailey studied other art forms, including painting, acting, music, set design, and
costuming, as well as ballet and other forms of modern and ethnic dance. When Horton died in
November 1953 the tragedy left the company without an artistic director. The company had
outstanding contracts that required and desired new works. When no one else stepped forward,
Ailey assumed the role of artistic director.
Ailey formed his own group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in 1958. For his
signature work, Revelations, Ailey drew upon his "blood memories" of Texas, the
blues, spirituals, and gospel. Ailey was proud that his company was multi-racial. While he
Book Review

wanted to give opportunities to black dancers, who were frequently excluded from performances
by racist attitudes at the time, he also wanted to rise above issues of negritude. His company
always employed artists based solely on artistic talent and integrity regardless of their race.
Alvin Ailey was a pioneer in the world of dance. His signature masterpiece
Revelations has been seen by more people than any other ballet created in that century. Over
the years Ailey was very careful about guarding his private life and found it difficult to talk
about himself. In the book, Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey relates the powerful
story of one mans painful search and identity despite a lifetime of remarkable achievement. For
the first time Ailey speaks out about the events and individuals who made him what he was.