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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."
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