Herman Leonard, R.I.P.

[ld111134]

In memoriam to the great photographer, famed for his depictions of great jazz musicians in action.

Bud Powell at Birdland

"Sweet Papa" Lou Donaldson, Clifford Brown and Elmo Hope at a recording session at WOR studios in New York

Duke and Benny enraptured while listening to Ella Fitzgerald at Birdland

Dizzy Gillespie fronting his big band

Dexter Gordon

 

[Connemara]

Good obit in the NYT. RIP Herman.

 

[Brogued]

Lou, did you ever go into the Rain Dog Cafe in the Fine Arts Building? It was a nice little coffee shop. It's long gone now. The owner had a collection of original Leonard prints hanging on the walls, including the one of Duke watching Ella and that iconic photo of "the street." He got robbed periodically for whatever was in the register. I'd joke with him that he better hope the thieves stay dumb.

 

[ld111134]

Originally Posted by Brogued

Lou, did you ever go into the Rain Dog Cafe in the Fine Arts Building? It was a nice little coffee shop. It's long gone now. The owner had a collection of original Leonard prints hanging on the walls, including the one of Duke watching Ella and that iconic photo of "the street." He got robbed periodically for whatever was in the register. I'd joke with him that he better hope the thieves stay dumb.

Never did, Ben. I love those Herman Leonard photos. I also like Willam Caxton's work (mostly of L.A. musicians) and, of course, Francis Wolff's work for Blue Note.

Erratum: The Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson, Elmo Hope photo was by Wolff, not Leonard. To compensate, here's one of Leonard's photos of a reflective Brownie.