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This Is the Street Where "A Great Day in Harlem" Was Photographed


This is the street where "A Great Day in Harlem" was photographed
This is the spot where "A Great Day in Harlem" was photographed.

This Saturday marks the day in 1958 when dozens of jazz greats posed for a photo that became known as "A Great Day in Harlem."


Captured by Art Kane for Esquire magazine on August 12th 65 years ago, the black-and-white image (original title: "Harlem 1958") shows 57 legends including Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, and Charles Mingus gathered on the stoop of a stately Harlem brownstone.


This Is the Street Where "A Great Day in Harlem" Was Photographed

So where exactly was the picture taken?


In a spot that still stands today: townhouse number 17 on E 126th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues in East Harlem.


To commemorate the famous location, the block was officially co-named “Art Kane Harlem 1958 Place” in 2021.


The new street sign can be found just steps from the house on the northwest corner of E 126th Street and Madison Avenue.


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