A Great Day in Harlem

Top Row L-R: Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Wilbur Ware. 2nd Row: Hilton Jefferson, Art Blakey, Chubby Jackson, Johnny Griffin. 3rd Row: Dickie Wells, Buck Clayton, Taft Jordan. 4th Row: Zutty Singleton, Red Allen. 5th Row: Sonny Greer, Jimmy Jones, Tyree Glenn. 6th Row: Miff Mole, J.C. Higginbotham, Charles Mingus. 7th Row: Jo Jones, Gene Krupa, Osie Johnson. 8th Row: Max Kaminsky, George Wettling, Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Russell, Buster Bailey. 9th Row: Scoville Browne, Bill Crump, Ernie Wilkins, Sahib Shihab, Sonny Rollins. Bottom Row: Gigi Gryce, Hank Jones, Eddie Locke, Horace Silver, Luckey Roberts, Maxine Sullivan, Jimmy Rushing, Joe Thomas, Stuff Smith, Coleman Hawkins, Rudy Powell, Oscar Pettiford, Marian McPartland, Lawrence Brown, Mary Lou Williams, Emmett Berry, Thelonious Monk, Milt Hinton, Vic Dickenson, Lester Young, Rex Stewart, J.C. Heard, Gerry Mulligan, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie. Sitting with the boys: William “Count” Basie

A Great Day in Harlem BY LESLIE NASH

Early on the morning in August 1958, on the stoop of 17 East 126th St., jazz greats gathered. Most of the musicians were on their way home after playing all Black and white: two colors forbidden to be in close proximity yet captured so beautifully within a single black and white frame. “ night in the best jazz clubs in NYC. A young photographer, Art Kane, captured what would become known as “A Great Day in Harlem.” Along the curb, several young boys are seated, their names unknown with the exception of Taft Jordan Jr. Wrangling those energetic youths to sit quietly must have been difficult, but not more difficult than gathering so many jazz greats in one place for this iconic photograph.

We wonder what the future had in store for those children sitting there. Did they know how important the moment was? Do any of our readers know the name of any of the children pictured, and what became of them?

We would like to hear from you if you have information for our search.

Contact The Positive Community at 973-233-9200 or email leslie@thepositivecommunity.com. The importance of this photo transcends time and location, leaving it to become not only a symbolic piece of art but a piece of history. During a time in which segregation was very much still a part of our everyday lives, and in a world that often pointed out our differences instead of celebrating our similarities, there was something so special and pure about gathering 57 individuals together, in the name of jazz.” Quincy Jones, documentary narrator, A Great Day in Harlem

thepositivecommunity.com

June 2022 Vol. 22 No. 5 b

Publisher Adrian A. Council, Sr. Editor-in-Chief Jean Nash Wells Associate Editor R. L. Witter Sales Angela Ridenour Adrian Council, Jr. Marc Williams Satori MPR Cheryl Saunders Austin Fenner Contributing Writers Glenda Cadogan Fern Gillespie

Contributing Photographers

Vincent Bryant

Ryan Council

Regina Flemming

Bob Gore

Raymond Hagans

Bruce Moore

Wali Amin Muhammad

Seitu Oronde

Karen Waters Art Direction & Layout

Penguin Design Group

Maishman Media, LLC

Raymond Hagans Executive Assistant

Leslie Nash Community & Government Affairs

Wayne Smith The Positive Community Corp.

133 Glenridge Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042 973-233-9200 Fax: 973-233-9201 Email: info@thepositivecommunity.com Website: thepositivecommunity.com

All contents © The Positve Community Corporation. All Rights Reserved. This publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, stored in a computerized or other retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means whatsoever without the prior written permission of The Positive Community Corporation. Any opinions expressed herein are solely the opinions of the writer(s) and not necessarily those of The Positive CommunityTM its management or staff. The Positive CommunityTM reserves the right to retain all materials and does not assume reponsibility for unsolicited materials.

The Last Word

BY R.L. WITTER

THE POWER OF POTATO SALAD

After more than two years and learning the true meaning of cabin fever, we have taken small steps to get back to some form of pre-COVID normalcy. We’ve taken a short road trip and stayed in a hotel, eaten on restaurant patios a few times, and FINALLY are seeing friends and loved ones in person again.

We began in April with a Sunday dinner on the patio. Hubby got on the grill. Throughout the day we engaged our four guests in games of Phase 10, Spades, Culture Tags, and Black Card Revoked. As the evening began to wind down and we cleaned up, one of the fellas looked both left and right, then leaned down and in nearly a whisper asked, “Is it okay if I take home some of that potato salad?” I smiled and retrieved a container for him. As he filled the container he said, “Lady, I haven’t had your potato salad in two years. This made my day!” He gave me a hug as he topped off the container with some of Hubby’s barbeque.

In May we had planned a Memorial Day cookout but unforeseen circumstances made us unable to host at our house. Everyone was disappointed as we planned to watch a movie in the backyard that night, but some of our dearest friends stepped up and volunteered to host the cookout at their home. When I called Sunday night to ask what time and if they wanted us to bring the projector and movie screen, my friend laughed and said, “Don’t worry about the movie but you need to come early so you can make the potato salad. I know it’s too hot in your kitchen so I’ll make room for you to do your thing. Oh, and I’m buying some extra potatoes so we can have some extra over here for Tuesday.” I thanked her and don’t you know we had a blast Monday morning cutting up and laughing as I made the potato salad at her house. It wasn’t easy to keep my secrets from her, but I managed.

June came, and along with it, Juneteenth and Father’s Day. We all looked forward to being together. I called a friend who hadn’t socialized much since losing his mother last year. I invited him to the festivities, but he was hesitant to commit to attending. I reminded him he is loved and would be missed and left it at that. Well, imagine my joy and surprise when he arrived to celebrate! We fussed over him. The fellas offered him various cuts of meat and cold drinks; the ladies offered to make his plate and we were all thrilled to see him. I asked what changed his mind. He smiled and said, “I heard you were making potato salad.”

As we get out and get together this summer, take a moment to appreciate the blessing of friends, family, and togetherness. Make folks feel welcome, savor the flavors, and don’t forget my invite; I’ll be glad to bring the potato salad.

They said it couldn’t be done. We didn’t listen.

We’ve done hard things before, we do them all the time.

For most cancer patients, the usual options are surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. So we’re working on ways to get the immune system to deploy billions of cancer-killing cells and help more patients survive.

When some people experienced mysterious COVID symptoms and had nowhere to go, our team created the first Center for Post-COVID Care.

It wasn’t that long ago we had to open up your whole chest for heart surgery. Now we’re pioneering a bypass that goes through a few tiny incisions. With this surgery, we can get you back on your feet in weeks instead of months.

So if anyone ever tells you there’s no other way—don’t listen.