Another Great Day…
November 14, 2008
Ricky Ford - the famous american saxophonist - lives in Toucy, a small village about a half hour from Paris, with his wife Dominique and their children. A year ago Dominique and Ricky started an art gallery there, and since they met with Philippe Lévy-Stab on the day we took our group picture in montmartre and shot the trailer, it was only a matter of time that Philippe would have an exhibition in Toucy !
Toucy is located near Auxerre, Burgundy - a small typical french town, with its open-air market and warm atmosphere.
The exhibition opened last saturday with many of Philippe’s beautiful portraits of Archie Shepp, Bobby Watson and many more, including one that Philippe took of Ricky in NYC while they were there together last summer!
For the occasion Pianist Bobby few and Jack Gregg “à la contrebasse” - both old friends of Ricky’s - came too, and played all afternoon. Many other friends came by and shared views, a moment together and a glass of champagne!
We , of course, shot all day with the Ford family and friends - and it all ended up in the village church, for a - warm, despite the buiding’s temperature! - solo concert of Ricky!
To be continued…
Photo exhibition, concert, and a bit of shoot…
November 3, 2008
Philippe Lévy-Stab - the famous Jazz photographer who took our group picture in June - will be exhibiting in Galerie 14 in Toucy - a Gallery recently opened by Ricky Ford in the small village of Burgundy where he and his wife dominique live. The exhibition will be opening on saturday 8th of november, and on the occasion, Ricky will be playing in the small church at 9pm - special guests to be expected ! Of course, Michka and her crew will be there too - ready to put the whole event on tape ! For all info :
GALERIE 14
Dominique et Ricky FORD
14 rue Philippe Verger Toucy 89130
Tél. 03 86 44 04 11
French Sunday newspaper covers our shoot
June 12, 2008
Le journal Du Dimanche - the most widely read French Sunday newspaper - covered our shoot !
Journal Du Dimanche - 8th of June 2008
Sorry english readers - no translation here…
A Great Day In Paris
April 5, 2008
In 2008 a photo will assemble the finest American Jazz musicians in Paris in a homage to Art Kane’s iconic portrait of the greatest Jazz musicians in 1958 Harlem. A GREAT DAY IN PARIS will capture the photo session as well as moments on both stage and every day life of these musicians, exploring the contemporary face of the American Jazz diaspora in Paris.
Director’s bio
April 4, 2008
MICHKA SAAL, a filmmaker working in both Canada and France, has written and directed documentary and fiction films. Her latest production, PRISONERS OF BECKETT, was selected for the Cannes 2007 Independent Cinema program and nominated for two Canadian Gemini Awards.
Synopsis
April 2, 2008
August 1958:
Esquire magazine assigns Art Kane, a young, unknown New York photographer, to come up with a photo for a piece on the Golden Age of Jazz.
That month, Kane assembles 57 of the greatest American jazz musicians and performers on the steps of a typical Harlem building for a group portrait. The photo launched his career and became the most famous jazz picture of all times.
Harlem 1958 © Art Kane Archive Artkane.com
“I came up with this really outrageous idea, and it unfolded in front of my eyes just as I’d envisioned it,” said Kane. “Seeing all those musicians moving up there onto those steps on 126th St, it was magnificent.”
The story behind this famous photograph was recounted in Jean Bach’s documentary « A Great Day in Harlem». Nominated for Best Documentary at the 1995 Academy Awards, the film captures how these jazz musicians developed a unique language that still resonates today.
AUGUST 2008 :
Ricky Ford, a renowned American tenor saxophonist who has been living in Paris for more than 15 years proposes to assemble American jazz musicians in Paris, together with French jazz musicians who play with them, for a photo called « A Great Day in Paris.»
Photo © Hugues Léglise-Bataille
The film will capture the photo session and explore the contemporary face of the American Jazz diaspora in France.
Both photo and documentary should be released in August 2008 for the 50th anniversary of Art Kane’s iconic portrait.
Trailer
March 30, 2008
