Jazz Day

Reviewed by: Paula Johnson - Long Island Community Library, Long island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 6, 2017

Review

A beautifully illustrated book with text in verse that is literally about a snapshot in time. Based on a photograph that was the inspiration of graphic designer, Art Kane, for an article in Esquire magazine. Kane's idea was to photograph as many jazz musicians as he could gather all in one place, which happened to be Harlem in 1958. The text tells the story in verse of the gathering that iconic day and the rhythmic beat of the words adds to the theme of the jazz musicians. The illustrations are colorful and give life to the characters portrayed. At the end of the book the actual photograph is revealed in an awe inspiring double paged spread. Both text and illustrations are a wonderful tribute to the golden age of jazz, however the audience for such a book may be limited. It would however be a wonderful addition to a study of jazz for middle age students to adults or to anyone interested in that musical period in American music. The back pages have biographical information on many of the musicians gathered for the photo, an author's note about the actual photograph, source notes, and a thorough bibliography.

Overall Book Score: excellent