Synopsis

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.