This Is the Spot Where "A Great Day in Harlem" Was Photographed in 1958

The exact spot where "A Great Day in Harlem" was photographed still stands today.

True jazz history buffs know that 1958 is the year when a who's who of jazz greats posed for a photo that became known as "A Great Day in Harlem."

Captured by photographer Art Kane for Esquire magazine almost 68 years ago, the famous black-and-white image (original title: "Harlem 1958") shows 58 legends, including Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, and Sonny Rollins (who died at the age of 95 on Monday) gathered on the stoop of a stately Harlem brownstone.

So where exactly was the picture taken and does the spot still exist?

In fact, the location still stands today: townhouse number 17 on E 126th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues in East Harlem.

The block was even co-named “Art Kane Harlem 1958 Place” in 2021 to commemorate the famous spot.

You can find the street sign just steps from the brownstone on the northwest corner of E 126th Street and Madison Avenue.

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