Past two days have definitely been jazzing it up - in addition to enjoying the Swing era, I really want to get to the golden era of 1950s-1960s jazz...at least until later 1940s. Also as we get into LP era, more availability and less of these tough to recreate Chronological Classics comps (as good as they are). Probably take a break tomorrow from jazz or at least far less.
The listening of the past couple of days did get me thinking of the wonderful photo "A Great Day in Harlem 1958". Although we're a decade away from that iconic
Esquire photo, so many 1940s artists (including good ol' Stuff Smith from earlier as well as Basie, Jimmy Rushing, Lester Young). Sure most are familiar with the photo but still thought it would be great to post it
Basie was simply tired of standing and decided to sit down - and in response about a dozen kids sat down on the stoop with him
Poor Willie "The Lion" Smith had sat down on a nearby stoop when the pic was shot so wasn't included (but are in some other photos of the session)
Miles Davis, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Coltrane, and Louis Armstrong are the big missing players are were all touring at the time
Still, look at that lineup - what royalty!
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