Sweet Music in Harlem

May 24, 2004
Inspired by Art Kane's famous 1958 photograph of nearly 60 celebrated jazz musicians gathered in front of a brownstone in Harlem, first-time author Taylor relates the story of young C.J., who is trying to find his musician uncle's hat in time for a photo shoot for a jazz magazine. He finds his uncle's watch at the barber shop, his handkerchief at the restaurant and his bow tie at a nightclub. All the people C.J. has encountered in his search have come to join his uncle in the photo by the time the photographer arrives. They were "some of the greatest musicians and singers in Harlem. It was like seeing the sun, the moon, and the stars all shining at once." That evening his uncle gives C.J. an early birthday present of a new clarinet, and the two discover the hat tucked into the gift box; C.J.'s "own sweet music out clear and strong." In a confident debut, Morrison nearly channels Ernie Barnes, working in velvety, contrasting colors to depict characters with thin, elongated limbs and expressive faces. The arms and legs twist at right angles, and even the desks, cabinets, drapery and wooden floors seem to be full of energy. A full-page author's note reproduces the historical photograph and names all 57 musicians, among them whites as well as blacks; oddly, Morrison's painting shows only black artists assembled before the camera. Readers are bound to notice and puzzle at the change. Ages 4-8.

July 1, 2004
K-Gr 3-When a famous-but forgetful-Harlem jazz musician finds out he's having his picture taken for a magazine, he sends his nephew on a wild chase through the neighborhood looking for his hat. C. J. hurries from the barbershop to the diner to the jazz club, but at each location he finds, instead of Uncle Click's beret, some other article that the man has left behind. The boy also returns with a crowd of people who are all anxious to be in the picture, too. When the photographer arrives, he finds a colorful group of jazz greats assembled on the brownstone steps. That night, Uncle Click presents C. J. with an early birthday present, a brand new clarinet that puts a sparkle in the aspiring young musician's eye, with the missing hat inside the box. This dazzling tale is filled with energy, rhythm, and style from its attention-grabbing cover to its satisfying ending. An author's note explains that an actual photograph of 57 jazz musicians taken in 1958 inspired the story; the photo is reproduced and all of the artists in it are identified. The acrylic illustrations make the text come alive. Elongated figures stretch, stride, and dance along pages filled with colorful scenes of Harlem. The characters' passion for jazz is echoed on their expressive faces and in their graceful postures, and Uncle Click's affection for his nephew shines through. A wonderful ode to the power of music and of family love.-Jane Marino, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2004
Gr. 1-3. C. J.'s uncle Click, a preeminent jazz musician from way back, is readying himself for the arrival of a magazine photographer, but he can't find his signature beret. Young C. J., in a race against time, searches high and low on the streets of Harlem for his uncle's hat. He returns home empty-handed, but he finds, in his wake, a crowd of Harlem singers, musicians, and just plain folks turned out to pose with Uncle Click. As inspiration, Taylor cites the famous Art Kane photo " Harlem " 1958, which pictures more than 50 musical luminaries gathered on a Harlem stoop" " for" " what turned out to be one of the most historic moments in the history of jazz. Taylor's prose moves us smoothly through the streets of Harlem, buoyed by Morrison's earthy acrylics. Especially valuable are an author's note about the photo itself and a key identifying the jazz greats who posed. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)