August 12, 1958 - a notable photograph was taken in Harlem.
Now known as “A Great Day in Harlem” or “Harlem 1958,” this black and white photo by freelance photographer Art Kane has become an iconic imprint on this moment in time, preserved for today. It was published in 1959 in Esquire Magazine.
The musicians gathered at 17 East 126th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenue. This week, on the 63rd anniversary of that event, that block of East 126th is now also getting a new name - Thursday, Aug. 12, the block between Fifth and Madison Avenues will get the additional name of “Art Kane Harlem 1958 Place.”
An in-person event scheduled for August 12th has been cancelled, however, because of a New York City heat index prediction of 107 degrees.
63 years later, there are only two of the 57 jazz musicians from that photo still with us: Benny Golson and Sonny Rollins. We are told they have prepared remarks marking the anniversary -
Pittsburgh’s Part in the photo include the presence of Art Blakey, Roy Eldridge, Maxine Sullivan and Mary Lou Williams.
Also on the Scene, we visit with some current performers who have events upcoming, showing how jazz Endures in Pittsburgh, and on the air with WZUM.
Saxophonist Roger Romero is busy on the jazz scene, also backing vocalist Sierra Sellars, and creating new sounds with groups of his own. We caught up with him at Con Alma, downtown.
Guitarist John Shannon, music curator for Con Alma, is also a busy guitarist, and working with his trio for the Monroeville Jazz Festival, September 4th.
Below, some video highlights on the subject of “A Great Day in Harlem,” an Oscar nominated documentary from 1995 and a CBS Sunday Morning Feature on the 60th anniversary of the Esquire magazine feature.