Iconic 1958 Jazz Photo and Memories

Nov 3, 2024

The Golden Age of Jazz Photograph - 1958

Background

  • Esquire Magazine's Golden Age of Jazz Issue: Featured a historic photograph of 57 legendary jazz musicians in front of a Harlem townhouse.
  • Date & Location: The photograph was taken in 1958 at 17 East 126th Street, Harlem.

Key Figures

  • Benny Golson: Great tenor sax player, composer of jazz standards like "Killer Joe," and member of the Jazz Hall of Fame.
    • Golson reminisces vividly about the day, despite his initial feelings of unworthiness.
    • He is one of the two surviving musicians from the photograph and the only one still performing.
  • Art Kane: The photographer behind the iconic image.
    • At the time, he was a young art director who pitched the idea to Esquire.
    • His photography career was greatly bolstered by the success of this image.
  • Other Notable Musicians Present: Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Gene Krupa, Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins.
    • Sonny Rollins, aged 88, is the other surviving musician.

The Event

  • Over 58 musicians were invited; 57 appeared in the photograph.
  • The atmosphere was described as "loaded" with talent, as many great musicians were present.
  • Art Kane used inventive methods, like a rolled-up New York Times as a megaphone, to arrange the musicians.
  • Despite logistical challenges (e.g., street distractions), the photograph was successfully captured.

Legacy

  • The photograph quickly became iconic and grew in cultural impact over time.
  • Benny Golson became a notable composer for TV shows like MASH, Mission Impossible, and The Partridge Family.
  • Art Kane went on to photograph other famous figures such as Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, and The Who.
  • A new book titled "Art Kane, Harlem 1958" details the story behind the photograph.

Anecdotes

  • Benny Golson initially discarded his copy of the Esquire magazine but was gifted a replacement by the current owner of the brownstone.
  • Some musicians showed up late and missed being in the picture; one got tired and sat down the street.

Reflections

  • Benny Golson expresses deep gratitude and privilege for having been part of that moment.
  • The photograph remains a significant piece of jazz history, symbolizing a gathering of "the cream of the crop."