Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph

Featuring four narrators—including JD Jackson and Bahni Turpin—this iconographic-animated adaptation of author Roxane Orgil's 2016 picture book presents freeform poetry segments while exploring the famous 1958 Esquire magazine photo “A Great Day in Harlem.” Illustrator Francis Vallejo creates realistic portraits of the August morning when graphic designer Art Kane assembled 57 notable jazz musicians—plus a dozen kids who sat on the curb up front next to a weary Count Basie—for what turned out to be an iconic moment. An intro provides context for the story, backed by a spry, jazzy soundtrack for 21 poems including “Some Kind of Formation,” “So Glad,” “How to Make a Porkpie Hat” (about Lester “Pres” Young's style), “What to Wear (from A to Z),” “Late,” “She's Here” (celebrating the arrival of Maxine Sullivan), and “The Invitation Said No Instruments.” In addition to a read-along option, extras include biographies, additional segments, source notes, and an author's note. Offering an informative look at a slice of jazz history, this is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)