Jean Bach, R.I.P.

Jean Bach does not appear in this 1958 photograph
which was the basis for the film A Great Day In Harlem.
But she produced the movie and other jazz documentaries.

If her other films are half as good as A Great Day In Harlem
then there is ample evidence that there is ample intelligence
on planet Earth.

She passed away today but empirically proved a point:
Jazz appreciation is a sign post of longevity.

Jean Bach was ninety-four years old
and tomorrow will be a great day in Heaven.


"As a teenager she knocked on Duke Ellington’s door
and established a lasting friendship."

Jean Bach is photographed here with Bobby Short.

Amongst the jazz legends in the other photo are Count Basie,
Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Charles Mingus,
Marian McPartland, Gerry Mulligan, Dizzy Gillespie,
Maxine Sullivan, and Thelonious Monk.

It was the first professional photograph taken by Art Kane
en route to his legendary career with a camera.

I will (again) point with pride to the top of the Jazz Pyramid.
That is Art Farmer from Jefferson High School, Class of '46.

If I were Jean Bach's age, I could have been Art's math teacher.