Wow!

thanks to Alexis.

SINCE its creation in 1958 A Great Day in Harlem
has become an icon of jazz photography. It is also
recognized, in the broader context of American
photography, as a major work. Through appearances
on posters, postcards, in books and periodicals it is
celebrated worldwide. Originally commissioned by
Esquire magazine, the underlying concept was simple:
to create a group portrait of living legendary jazz
musicians on a Harlem street. However the
photograph's compositional brilliance, its historic
importance, no less the complex logistics involved in
its creation, elevated Art Kane's achievement to the
level of tour de force.


AMONG the musicians are Art Blakey, Charles Mingus, Gene Krupa, Horace Silver, Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins,
Thelonius MonK, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan and Count Basie (who rounded up the seated children). Immortal
talents, a monument to their spirit and sound. In 1995 the Jean Bach documentary film A Great Day in Harlem was
released. Recounting the story behind the photograph the film was nominated for an Academy Award. A Great Day in
Harlem was Kane's first professional assignment and launched his rise to the hierarchy of America's superstar photographers.

BORN in the Bronx in 1925, Art Kane became the most published and awarded American photographer of his time. His work
is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and many other private and institutional collections
worldwide.