Jim Marshall: Jazz [Hardcover]

Jim Marshall (Photographer), Phil Elwood (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2005

An unexpected trove, Jim Marshall's portraits of the jazz greats are as wonderful as his legendary work with rock musicians (most recently enjoyed in Jim Marshall: Proof). The access his subjects allow him and their obvious ease around him give these photographs an unequalled intimacy. This portfolio of Marshall's favorite shots shows the classics of jazz onstage, backstage, in the studioand also in their kitchens and living rooms. Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Coleman HawkinsMarshall's images capture these faces and many, many more in authentic and unguarded moments. Jazz critic Phil Elwood provides an introduction, and captions throughout present Marshall's reminiscences in his own words, making this book a must-have for both jazz and photography aficionados. By turns illuminating and haunting, Jim Marshall: Jazz confirms his place as one of the great portrait photographers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Marshall s (Proof) photos of musicians like Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, and the Beatles-plus his iconic images of Jimi Hendrix from the Monterey Pop Festival-form a significant part of the visual legacy of the 1960s and 1970s. In this collection of 115 black-and-white photos, Marshall turns to jazz musicians; his signature sensitivity, impeccable eye, and legendary persistence result in an intimate perspective on such giants as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington, as well as lesser-known figures like saxophonist Pete Brown. Many of the images show musicians caught in pensive moods or informal settings. One wonderful shot, for example, shows a beaming Harry James backstage, lighting a cigarette for Miles Davis. There isn t an uninteresting picture in the lot. More important, the images go deep: they will leave readers feeling they know more about these people and their music than they did before. Recommended for all collections. -Library Journal

About the Author

Jim Marshall's more than five hundred album and CD covers and his photographs of the original Woodstock and other key moments of the 1960s make him one of the most renowned music and pop culture photographers ever. He lives in San Francisco.

Phil Elwood was the jazz critic for the San Francisco Examiner for three decades and is now a featured columnist at JazzWest.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (July 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811843548
• ISBN-13: 978-0811843546
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,224,816 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 The subtle & superb counterpoint to Jim's Rock n' Roll books..., November 21, 2005

By 

Nick Despotopoulos (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jim Marshall: Jazz (Hardcover)

After the superb Not Fade Away and Proof Jim Marshall comes out with his 3rd book covering his Jazz (and Blues) period. Iconic images that will surprise fans who only know his Rock photos. The foundation that built the Marshall mystique. To be enjoyed drinking 16 year old Lagavulin single malt Scotch and listening to superb jazz vinyl (Monk, Prez, Diz,Trane, Miles, etc..) on a good turntable/stereo system. One can only hope for the long rumoured Color book next. A must get for your music and photo book library!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ansel Adams of Music, September 27, 2007

By 

mistersnappy (Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jim Marshall: Jazz (Hardcover)

I've been digging Marshall's work for 25 years-ever since I got my first copy of "The Allman Brothers Band Live At Fillmore East". I'm not a photographer but something in the way he composes his shots moves me. Mostly, tho', it is the quality of the contrast between black and white- and the richness of the color in his photographs. I'm sure it all has something to do with the equipment, exposure, film, etc. People like he, Adams and Claxton make black and white as sexy as color-if not more so. If you love jazz, you will find some iconic pictures here as well as some that have probably never been seen. Lets' put it this way, if I had the chance to have one photographer shoot me as a musician, it would be him. I once called him up out of the blue to talk photography (which I know next to nothing about) because I was/am such a fan. Just the finest technique that makes the pictures seem three dimensional. Long live Jim Marshall.