Jazz [Paperback]

William Claxton (Author, Photographer), Terry Southern (Afterword), Leonard Feather (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

The finest collection of jazz photographs ever published, William Claxton's Jazz became an instant classic when it was first published in 1987. Now this seminal volume of portraits is available in a stunning paperback edition. Legendary throughout the jazz world, Claxton began photographing musicians while still a student at UCLA, during the early days of the burgeoning West Coast jazz scene. A personal friend of many of the artists, Claxton captured on film the intimate relationship between the musicians and their music, and his award-winning photographs have graced the covers of innumerable albums. Collected here are 77 evocative full-bleed duotones of the world's great jazz icons, including Sarah Vaughan, Chet Baker, Dave Brubreck, Bill Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Dizzie Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Art Pepper, Thelonious Monk, and many others. For anyone who loves jazz or fine photography, Jazz is a timeless volume and an outstanding gift.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The pics by photographer William Claxton are mature, expressive and precise: this glorious paper edition of his 1987 classic is timeless. It's safe to say that these photos have played as big a role in the jazz renaissance as a whole stack of reissues. Time Out New York

With stunning black-and-white photography, Claxton captures the moodiness of the genre, the intimacy of his subjects, and the romanticism of a lost age of genius. Buzz

--Buzz, January 1997
The 1950s jazz scene continues to grow in its fascination. Is it the musical genius of players like Stan Getz, Art Blakey, and Miles Davis? Or is it the image of jazz cats like Chet Baker, dressed in a suit, stooped in a corner of some dark, smoky club, playing their hearts out? Judging from William Claxton's latest book, Jazz, it's the latter. Finally available in a soft-cover edition, Claxton's book is, first and foremost, an art book that just happens to be about such jazz greats as Miles Davis, Chet Baker, and Billie Holiday. With stunning black-and-white photogrpahy, Claxton captures the moodiness of the genre, the intimacy of his subjects, and the romanticism of a lost age of genius.

About the Author

William Claxton currently lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811813517
• ISBN-13: 978-0811813518
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,521,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A candid collection capturing the essence of jazz musicians, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Jazz (Paperback)

William Claxton's Jazz is the union of two art forms: photography and jazz music. It is a window into the hey-day of that truly American musical form. True, music can (and usually does) speak for itself, but when visual imagery is presented in such an honest and candid way, one is able to glimpse the artist, and at once feel the moment that has been captured on film. Whether caught up in a recording session, poring over a musical phrase, or simply enjoying the sound of the instrument that is their own, Claxton is able to portray the musician at work, at play, or at peace with his art form.

Of related interest: The Blue Note Years-The Jazz Photography of Francis Wolff