Jamal’s early dance training was taken to task in hometown Los Angeles under Lula Washington, who ushered him into her adult company during his late teens. Undecided about what career to pursue, Jamal began earning two degrees at Southern Methodist University in Dance Performance and TV/Radio Communications. Jamal has danced for Complexions, Donald Byrd/theGroup, Dallas Black Dance Theater and Fort Worth/Dallas Ballet, Madonna’s 2001 Drowned World Tour, and (as an aerialist and dancer) Cher’s Living Proof: The Farewell Tour. He was also the assistant dance captain for “The Color Purple,” on Broadway, and most recently a featured dancer on the soon-to-air television show, “Smash.” In addition to promoting his book of fiction, “12:34 – a Slice Novel,” Jamal continues his advocacy for educating young artists about the changing landscape of dance.