Late in the Summer of 1959, I was given the opportunity to document the progress, from first rehearsals through the opening in Amsterdam that December, of a new version of the Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer blues opera “St. Louis Woman.”
When the show prematurely closed in Paris, the band Quincy Jones had put together survived for several months longer, touring in Europe, and became legendary among jazz insiders. My pictures were consigned to a cardboard box.
Then, in 2009, as the 50th anniversary of Free and Easy’s demise came and went, Johnny Mercer’s centennial approached, and Quincy turned 75, my pictures came to life again.
To see or buy the book: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2525807
early rehearsal, New York City
Irene Williams
early rehearsal, New York City
Moses LaMarr, costume fitting
Paul Harris, costume fitting
Quincy Jones, costume fitting
Jacqueline Barnes, women's costumes
blocking on the unfinished set
Robert Breen
Quincy Jones
ClarkTerry
Les Spann & Buddy Catlett
Sahib Shihab
Les Spann
Irene Williams, Harold Nicholas
Barnes, Breen, & Nicholas
Norma Donaldson
Harold Nicholas
copyists transcribing changes
Donald McKayle, Breen and dancers
producer, Stanley Chase
Robert Guillaume
Harold Nicholas
musicians rehearsing onstage
Quincy Jones, TV interview
Carré Theater billboard
a “lady”
dancers
Moses LaMarr, Harold Nicholas, Patti Austin, Walter Brown, Lillian Hayman
performance
celebrating, opening night
