Chuck Davis, at 80, taught African dance

DURHAM, N.C. — Chuck Davis, a master choreographer and teacher of traditional African dance styles who founded dance companies in North Carolina and New York, has died. He was 80.

Mr. Davis died Sunday at his home in Durham, said Dr. B. Angeloe Burch Sr., executive director of the African American Dance Ensemble, which Mr. Davis founded. Mr. Davis had been diagnosed with cancer about two years ago and had been treated, Burch said. He said the cause of death wasn’t known.

Mr. Davis founded the African American Dance Ensemble in 1983 and was founder and director of Dance Africa, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He also founded the Chuck Davis Dance Company in New York in 1968.

Burch and Mr. Davis had planned to attend Dance Africa, called BAM, later this month, Burch said, adding that his death, in that sense, was sudden. “He was still choreographing ... and he was looking forward to going to BAM,” Burch said.

Burch said he was still a boy when he met Mr. Davis, who was known as “Baba Chuck.”