Hirschfeld uptown.

When the renowned illustrator and portraitist Al Hirschfeld died in January 2003, he left, as part of his legacy, more than seven decades worth of spirited artwork to be admired and appreciated. Though he was mostly known for his caricatures of thespians and the goings-on about the theater world, Hirschfeld's signature black-and-white drawings presented the world around him bubbling with both integrity and levity.

Hirschfeld's Harlem is the artist's tribute to the famous neighborhood and the spirit that is Harlem--in all of its bluesy, legendary splendor. His own captivation with Harlem had begun in the 1940s. In fact, the first part of the book was originally published in a limited edition in 1941. Featuring more than 70 full-page illustrations, Hirschfeld captures the dynamic rhythms and moods of an era long treasured. The jovial paintings in Hirschfeld's Harlem are accompanied by commentaries and reminiscences by the likes of Lena Horne, Geoffrey Holder, Bobby Short and George C. Wolfe, who express their thoughts about the storied streets, night clubs, and people that have helped to crown Harlem as one of the world's most historic swinging hot spots.

HIRSCHFELD'S HARLEM by Al Hirschfeld, Introduction by Gail Lumet-Buckley Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, February 2004 $75.00, ISBN 1-557-83517-9