Jazz Day

The Making of a Famous Photograph

What happens when you invite as many jazz musicians as you can to pose for a photo in 1950s Harlem? Playful verse captures an iconic moment for American jazz. When Esquire magazine planned an issue to salute the American jazz scene in 1958, graphic designer Art Kane pitched a crazy idea: how about gathering a group of beloved jazz musicians and photographing them? He didn't own a good camera, didn't know if any musicians would show up, and insisted on setting up the shoot in front of a Harlem brownstone. Could he pull it off? In a captivating collection of poems, Roxane Orgill steps into the frame of Harlem 1958, bringing to life the musicians' mischief and quirks, their memorable style, and the vivacious atmosphere of a Harlem block full of kids on a hot summer's day. Includes bios of several of the 57 musicians, an author's note, sources, and a bibliography.

©2016 Roxane Orgill (P)2016 Recorded Books