A Great Day in Harlem :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
In August of 1958, in front of a Harlem brownstone, first-time photographer Art Kane assembled 57 of the greatest jazz stars of all time and snapped a picture that would live forever. Narrated by Quincy Jones, this "irresistible" (Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times), Academy Award-nominated documentary examines the fascinating lives of the musicians who showed up that day to make history. Through remarkable interviews with nearly 30 jazz greats (including Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins and Art Blakey), home movies shot by Milt and Mona Hinton, and rare, archival performance footage, A Great Day in Harlem tells the story behind a legendary photograph that is still alive and kicking - and jammin'!

Customer Reviews

Great Day in Harlem

2008-01-14
I really enjoyed this 2 disc CD. I had the picture and knew about the background but these CDs completed the picture. If you are interested in Jazz, this is a must have. It also makes a great gift.

A great photo and now a grteat dvd

2007-10-13
The hardest thing was certainly for Art Kane (the photographer) to manage schedules of all those musicians who appears on his famous picture, never the less the DVD is interesting as it allows those who were still alive at the time the movie was made to express themselves on that "Great Day in Harlem" and for that alone it is nice...

Sweeeet!

2007-09-26
Man is this fun to watch! All these classic old jazz players reminiscing about this ultimate jazz photo and the times surrounding it. Full of funny vignettes and some snippets of very fine music, it's a primo history lesson. Diz in particular is hilarious.
So many legends here; the extras are superb. A 90-minute movie is now a 6-hour treat! That's what Special Features should be: special.
A true must for any fan of jazz in the 50s, a golden era.

Bev Texas

2007-09-11
Excellent is all I can say, WOW, so much talent and so many have gone. If you are a Jazz lover, what a collection to have, with music, interviews and history. A must buy!!!!!

got to have it.

2007-06-11
Great documentary about a unique event. If you are into jazz you should see it. I wish it had more music on it, but you can't have everything!

A Great Day In Harlem

2007-03-10
In August of 1958, in front of a Harlem brownstone, first-time photographer Art Kane assembled 57 of the greatest jazz stars of all time and snapped a picture that would live forever. Narrated by Quincy Jones, this "irresistible" (Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times), Academy Award-nominated documentary examines the fascinating lives of the musicians who showed up that day to make history. Through remarkable interviews with nearly 30 jazz greats (including Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins and Art Blakey), home movies shot by Milt and Mona Hinton, and rare, archival performance footage, A Great Day in Harlem tells the story behind a legendary photograph that is still alive and kicking - and jammin'!

Hours of New Special Features! "Art Kane" Featurette "Bill Charlap and Kenny Washington" Featurette "Copycat Photos" Featurette "Stories from the Making of A Great Day in Harlem" Featurette PLUS: Bonus 2nd Disc Includes Over Two Hours of New Video Profiles of the 59 Musicians involved in the photograph!

great day in harlem commented 2006-10-27
even though it left out quite a few others,its was good to see the muscians who brought to the world, bop,hard bop,swing. cats who really played their heart out,not only to scratch out a bare living,but for the total enjoyment and love of playing great music.

A great day for the music 2006-08-04
The music is great. The interviews with fascinating jazz legends are wonderful. The film is totally entertaining and informative. The people who made this documentary captured something very special.

"A Great Day" is just great. 2006-03-15
If you are a fan of classic jazz, this dvd is a great investment. Loaded with interviews and reminiscing about the most famous photo in jazz, the film is an essential. The extras are entertaining and enlightening. The coolest thing about the dvd are the home movies (in color) taken at the photo shoot and the "point and click" about each person in the photo. Awesome for the schooled jazz fan or those wanting to learn.

A Great Day In Harlem 2006-02-26
I purchased this for a friend at his request. We are members of the same senior center. He said he's "gotta" have it! He has the previous DVD and thought it was great. He thought this one should be 4 times better, but he hasn't seen it yet. He wants to show it to the seniors at our center (R.A.I.N. Senior Center, Bronx, NY). Will review it and give you the results.

Nathan Simmons