Footnotes

• Herman Leonard, famed for his intimate portraits of jazz stars in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, began his career as an apprentice to Yousuf Karsh, where he was schooled in lighting and tonal nuance. From here, he worked freelance, shooting in jazz clubs and selling his photographs to magazines and jazz record producers, including the influential Norman Granz. With their rich blacks, whites and silvers, his pictures not only catch the musicians mid-performance, but also at ease in their homes and backstage, a level of access that was unprecedented. Quincy Jones said of his friend, "Herman's camera tells the truth and makes it swing. Musicians loved to see him around." It was not until 1988 that Leonard had his first solo exhibition, in London, where over 10,000 people attended in a month. Despite losing over 8,000 prints in the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he continued to work until his death in August this year, collaborating with Lenny Kravitz in early 2010.
  
  This portfolio is dedicated to Joseph Lustig (1925-99), press agent, manager and producer, who in his career worked with an array of names including Nat King Cole, Jack Kerouac, Gloria Swanson, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Mel Brooks, Nico and Herman Leonard. Leonard's inscription to his friend reads: 'For Joe - It's all your fault, you know. Without your help, I would never have made it! Carry on - and enjoy!'

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Category: Fine Art / Photographs

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