Jazz: Photographs of the Masters [Hardcover]

Bob Blumenthal (Author), Cliff Preiss (Author), Martin Johnson (Author), Jacques Lowe (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 1995

In Jazz: Photographs of the Masters, internationally acclaimed photographer Jacques Lowe captures the character and spirit of 200 of the greatest jazz musicians who define the state of the art today. Of all music, jazz best represents the diversity and dynamism of twentieth-century America, and this sumptuous volume of duotone portraits pays homage to the virtuosos who have created this extraordinarily rich music.

Here are contemplative photographs of such jazz greats as Oscar Peterson, Gerry Mulligan, and McCoy Tyner, and intimate portraits that reveal the warmth and humor of such artists as Ron Carter, Milt Jackson, and Joe Henderson. Great women musicians like Betty Carter and Shirley Horn are also pictured, as are today's most popular artists including Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Peggy Lee, and Artie Shaw.

The text, by jazz connoisseur Cliff Preiss, traces the development of jazz from the turn of the century, illuminating those pictured through personal histories and anecdotes. Living legends like Sonny Rollins and Max Roach are featured, as well as innovators like Cecil Taylor and Wayne Shorter, whose genius sparked phases of jazz evolution. The text also discusses those virtuosos who have reached out and integrated other popular musical forms into jazz, and spotlights today's emerging artists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Photographer Lowe captures photos of over 200 modern jazz masters, with duotones exploring Sonny Rollins and other jazz greats. This already-outstanding presentation is paired with essays by Boston Globe jazz contributor Bob Blumenthal to create an outstanding album. -- Midwest Book Review

From the Inside Flap

Jazz, that uniquely American musical art form, reflects all of the diversity and dynamism of the culture in which it was created. Its stylistic evolutions have been as explosive as the history of this century, creating a dramatic musical backdrop to our life and times.

Jazz: Photographs of the Masters pays homage to the virtuosos who have created this extraordinarily rich music. Elegant black-and-white duotone portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer Jacques Lowe capture the character and spirit of more than 200 of the greatest jazz musicians who define the state of the art today. Here are contemplative portraits of such jazz greats as Herbie Hancock, Gerry Mulligan and McCoy Tyner, and intimate images that reveal the warmth and humor of such artists as Joe Henderson, Ron Carter and Milt Jackson. Many of the great women of jazz, like Betty Carter and Peggy Lee, are included, as are such young lions as Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove and Christian McBride.

The text traces the development of jazz in the United States from the turn of the century, illuminating the jazz greats through personal histories and anecdotes. Living legends like Sonny Rollins and Oscar Peterson are featured, as are innovators like Cecil Taylor and Wayne Shorter, whose genius sparked phases of jazz evolution. Also discussed are the reciprocal relationships jazz has always shared with other influential musical forms, from Latin to pop to World Beat.

A tribute to five generations of artists who represent the genius that is jazz, this book will be treasured by committed enthusiasts as well as initiates to the fold.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Artisan; First edition. edition (January 12, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885183259
• ISBN-13: 978-1885183255
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,915,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-done visual expresion of jazz, March 26, 2000

By 

Daniel Loch (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jazz: Photographs of the Masters (Hardcover)

When being able to place a face and look to an artist, the enjoyment of music is enhanced. I've only just begun my lifelong pursuit of jazz appreciation and this book really is a great tool for this. It creates a mental visualization of the artist for us. This is the only way to actually see most of the great artists that have left us, the only way to actually see into the world they lived and played in. So much of the music that they've left us was inspired by their surroundings and their daily interactions. Lowe has done an excellent job in creating this visual walk through the history of such a great artform. This is highly recommended to all those who appreciate jazz for the great artform it is.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great jazz portraits in this collection, September 16, 2008

By 

Jazz Art Design (Northern California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jazz: Photographs of the Masters (Hardcover)

This is a great collection of jazz portraits. Only a few performance pieces so not an ideal book if you are looking for images of performing musicians. I got it for less than $10 and though I was hoping for more performance shots to use as reference for my artwork, it was well worth it and will always have a place on my bookshelf of art and music books.