A Song for You

[@queena.k.a.mistyyvette1362]

I was scrolling and came across this video of my 1st cousin Dudley Williams and it brought me to tears! If you listen to his story of how he began dancing, they talked about an uncle to took him to his first dance lesson, that uncle was my father Leslie Samuels Sr. This video was so nice to see! I used to see him perform this every year! Wow! How I miss him!

[@aileronperformingartsstudi8433]

Dudley was a teacher of mine at the Ailey school. I took his class once, and then a year later I got accepted to Ailey. When I saw him, I asked him if he remembered me. He said "of course. I remember those legs". He was a darling man, and the dance world will miss him forever.

[@carinamoses2704]

May the memory of the righteous be for a blessing.

[@RickNeidig]

Working with and watching Dudley do this piece was amazing. Proud to have worked for Ailey for 3 years back then.

[@DArtist2010]

This will always be one of my favorite performances. What a master he was.

[@queena.k.a.mistyyvette1362]

I love watching my first cousin do this dance. I used to go to a lot of his performances and I was so proud of him R.I.P MY ANGEL. I WILL ALWAYS BE YOU #1FAN!

[@lanaburton523]

I too desperately wanted to find this video today to honor this incredibly gifted dancer, Dudley Williams. I feel heart-broken to know he is gone but yes ... He dances with The Angels now... Alvin himself one of them.

[@gapdancer]

Breathe taking! I came here to watch this because this dance legend passed away today. He is now dancing with the Angels!

[@AmeliaMaud]

RIP to one of the most beautiful, strong, graceful and powerful dancers of all time! I was lucky to see him dance this piece live several times and each time it never ceased to awe me. "Song for You" was one of three "Love Songs" he would perform back to back as a single performance, a feat not only of artistry but high endurance.

[@djpseudoname2023]

A PBS Television Special on Mr. Williams and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater brought me here. 🙏🏽

[@jerrycabarloc3728]

Same here, I was moved by the kindness of Dudley Williams.

[@poiuytrewdfghjksa]

Same, I watched it when I was locked up at LA County Jail and everyone was clowning me

[@BabsBrooklynPilates]

What beautiful match of music, choreography, and dancing.

[@TheBeverly7]

I took classes with Dudley Williams at the Martha Graham school of dance , he was a wonderful person!

[@DebraSimpsonUSMC1]

Rest in Heaven Mr. Dudley.

[@ritamarks3525]

With my late husband, dance professor James Penrod, we met him at the bar, before one of his performances, he was so down to earth!

[@funkysoulguy]

[@janahr8550]

My type of dancing! Beautiful😍😍😍

[@leonardevans2633]

ICONIC!!!

[@tamikagordon6418]

Simply Beautiful Mr. Dudley 👼🏾

[@YvonneSain]

Timeless. Absolutely gorgeous

[@arlenehecht7372]

Magnificent!

[@dav31466]

I also found this today upon learning of Mr. Williams' death...am sharing on facebook, could you gell me (us) what and when this is from? Am a huge fan of Mr. Williams...he was a true artist and one of Mr. Ailey's muses, and a man who helped to shape the legacy of the AAADT. Godspeed.

[@sidneiareed8524]

"Simply Beautiful."

[@sonyaspencer62]

May he RIP. Such a tremendous loss.

[@joycedcomegys5927]

Bravo...so beautifully expressed!!!

[@dp-mo5jh]

Kids today that don’t understand this style of dance... because it’s dying out. Such a shame. One move per count these days with no understanding or fluidity from one movement too the next. No SOUL!... This was stunning!... and can we please also pay respect to the beautiful Donny Hathaway!!!

[@DonovanRogers_]

d p While I understand where you’re coming from, this is false. I’m a young, black theatre artist and I can assure you that this has not disappeared in our generation. If you look in the dance departments at black high schools, you will see that this dance style is taught and celebrated.; however, it’s not highlighted in our most popular dances. At the same time, if you really analyze our mainstream dances, it’s very fluid and has its roots in multifarious styles from the African Diaspora.

[@itspossible3381]

Donovan Rogers awesome Donovan!!!

[@ciarrajohnson3849]

Amen🥺🥺

[@Boombi2010]

I saw this footage on a doco winter at west beth... Incredibly moving

[@jonathangutierrez3151]

Wow!

[@Moanabih]

A LEGEND

[@gregdecker3518]

gorgeous.

[@staciaseven]

Beautiful ❤️

[@mannygetpaid8853]

Dudley

[@msunny1ks]

Perfection..

[@ronkat81]

Didn't they do this at his funeral? I had the footage years ago...

[@alexisa1262]

Hoyaaaaaa

[@seanmarshall9637]

When was this recorded?

[@Boombi2010]

He performed this at his partners funeral.

[@ledellwatts]

Thanks Walter😉

[@pouchondubois4091]

Saw him hanging '94 at a bar in San Francisco(silver slim jeans and all)and again 2010 one early morning by the Ailey school(borderline crazy)...

[@PeachesYancy]

You really could have kept that last tidbit to yourself.