By IPS Correspondents
LONDON, Mar 14 1995 (IPS)

One of the rarest events in the jazz world was recorded for posterity back in 1958. Some of the finest jazz musicians of all time turned up for an impromptu photographic session at, for them, the unearthly hour of 10.00 am.

Impossible to imagine? Well, that’s exactly what happens in Jean Bach’s extraordinary movie documentary ‘A Great Day in Harlem’. From that single photograph taken 37 years ago Bach has fashioned a loving tribute to the heyday of jazz, which is now competing for the Oscar for Best Documentary.

The people pictured in the photo reads like a who’s who of the jazz world, including such luminaries as Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Maxine Sullivan, Thelonius Monk and Sonny Rollins – just to name a few.

In all 57 musicians, and 12 neighbourhood kids, were captured on camera by photographer Art Kane.

At the time Kane, who went on to acquire an international reputation, had never taken a professional picture and when he put out a call for musicians he had no idea how many would turn up.

After all, as one musician wryly noted, “I didn’t realise there were two ten o’clocks in the same day.”

But to Kane’s surprise a crowd of the musical greats descended on Harlem, many still wearing the same clothes from the night before. The photograph has since become a legend, reflecting this single moment in time when the great soloists of the day stood side by side with session men to create a piece of history.

Bach’s documentary includes interviews with some of the musicians on the picture, many of whom were quite frail.

In an interview with IPS during a recent visit to London to introduce her film in the British capital, Bach stated, “I felt a need to get this done because everyone was getting older and I was worried we would lose them.

“Some of the interviews I got just in time, since many of these guys have died.”

‘A Great Day in Harlem’ also includes 8mm footage which was shot on the day by Mona Hilton, musician Milt Hilton’s wife. The interviews and the film footage combine to give a wonderful insight into the world of jazz in the ’50s and beautifully captures the musicians heartfelt joy in having an unexpected opportunity to meet. (MORE)

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