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Blue Note Records ― co-founded in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff ― celebrates seventy-five years dedicated to recording the greatest musicians in jazz history.

One hundred of the musicians who defined the premier jazz label are celebrated in photographs by Wolff. These photographs, taken from 1948–1969, catch the stars in action: performing onstage, in recording sessions, or cutting stylish silhouettes around town. The powerful images were used to illustrate the label’s iconic album covers, and this curated selection features jazz greats Louis Armstrong, Art Blakey, Ornette Coleman, Chick Corea, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, and many more.

Lion and Wolff shared a lifelong passion for music and an unwavering commitment to record quality albums by innovative musicians, even in the face of economic crises and changing musical trends. They witnessed the greatest jazz acts of all time and Wolff’s photographs bring to life their most intimate and exciting performances. Each photograph is identified by subject, session or album being cut, and date; and the featured artists are indexed for easy reference.

This volume ― enriched with one hundred intimate and candid photographs ― recounts the label’s dazzling saga.

Following the success of Rizzoli's The Blue Note Years, the treasured archive of Francis Wolff photographs has been opened once again to present a previously unseen collection of dynamic images. Included are never-before-published colour images from Wolff's later years of photography. This volume is a collection of the jazz photographs taken from 1941 to 1968 by Francis Wolff, co-founder of Blue Note Records, to document the world's most famous jazz label.

Vignettes tell the story of Blue Note Records; its founders, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff; recording master, Rudy Van Gelder; and many of the labels' great artists -- Jimmy Smith, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Grant Green, John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson, and Art Blakey, among others.

The official illustrated history of Blue Note, the most influential and important brand in jazz

Blue Note is not only known as the purveyor of extraordinary jazz but is also famous as an arbiter of cool. The superb photography of co-founder Francis Wolff and the cover designs of Reid Miles were integral to the label’s success and this highly illustrated publication – featuring the very best photographs, covers and ephemera from the archives, including never-before-published material – commemorates Blue Note’s momentous contribution to jazz, to art and design, and to the music business.

Tracing the evolution of jazz from the boogie-woogie and swing of the 1930s, through bebop, funk and fusion, to the eclectic mix Blue Note releases today, the book also narrates a complex social history from the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany to the developments in music and technology in the late 20th century. Celebrating over eight decades of extraordinary music, this book demonstrates how Blue Note has stayed true to its founders’ commitment to ‘Uncompromising Expression’.

About the Author:

Richard Havers was a British music author, journalist, consultant and broadcaster. He was the author of over fifty books, including Rolling Stones 50 and Verve: The Sound of America, both published by Thames & Hudson.

Our Fair Lady. The many facets of Hepburn's beauty, on and off set.

In his distinguished career as a Hollywood photographer, Bob Willoughby captured Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Fonda, but remains unequivocal about his favorite subject: Audrey Kathleen Ruston, later Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston, best known as Audrey Hepburn. Willoughby was called in to shoot the new starlet one morning shortly after she arrived in Hollywood in 1953. It was a humdrum commission for the portraitist often credited with having perfected the photojournalistic movie still, but when he met the Belgian-born beauty, Willoughby was enraptured. “She took my hand like… well a princess, and dazzled me with that smile that God designed to melt mortal men’s hearts,” he recalled.

As Hepburn’s career soared following her Oscar-winning US debut in Roman Holiday, Willoughby became a trusted friend, framing her working and home life. His historic, perfectionist, tender photographs seek out the many facets of Hepburn’s beauty and elegance, as she progresses from her debut to her career-high of My Fair Lady in 1963. Willoughby’s studies, showing her on set, preparing for a scene, interacting with actors and directors, and returning to her private life, comprise one of photography’s great platonic love affairs and an unrivalled record of one of the 20th century’s touchstone beauties.

The photographer:

Bob Willoughby (1927-2009) took his first photo at the age of twelve. By 1954 his exhibitions of photographs of jazz musicians and dancers led to a contract with Globe Photos, followed by work at Harper's Bazaar. After shooting Judy Garland during the filming of A Star is Born he became the first "unit photographer"— hired specifically by movie studios to take on-set promotional "stills". The author of numerous books on photography, he lived his last years in Vence, France.

This past year Boris Mikhailov joined the ranks of William Eggleston, Cindy Sherman, and Robert Frank as the recipient of the prestigious Hasselblad Award, confirming the international stature and critical acclaim he has earned in the last few years with one-person exhibitions at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, London's Photographer's Gallery, and the DAAD Gallery in Berlin as well as representation in major international surveys such as the Carnegie International.
 
His first book, "Unfinished Dissertation", was published by Scalo in 1997, on the occasion of his receipt of the Albert Renger-Patzsch Prize; in 2000, he published his second book with Scalo, "Case History", and was awarded the photo book award of the International Festival for Photography in Arles, France. Mikhailov also recently accepted an invitation to teach at Harvard University beginning in the fall of 2000.
 
This new book contains a never-before-published series of work from the early 1980s: Mikhailov photographed ''The Dancers'' in his hometown in Ukraine during a period when the former Soviet Union was a reality, before the appearance of Gorbachov and "perestroika". We observe the open-air dancing scene with great astonishment; seeing older and younger people enjoy themselves in a way that might be contradictory to the images we might have about everyday life in the old Soviet Union. These cheerful images remind us how little women and men need to have a good time.
 
An essay by Russian art critic Boris Groys and an exhaustive interview make this volume a must-have for readers and libraries interested in contemporary art and photography. Hardcover, 144 pages, 9 x 10 inches, 65 duotone illustrations.

The complete manual to boudoir, one of the fastest growing trends in photography

Once popular mainly with brides, boudoir portraits are now enjoyed by women of all ages to celebrate everything from anniversaries to birthdays to their own independent spirit. This isn’t old-fashioned glamour photography - it’s an altogether new genre, with a focus on flattering the subject and creating stunning, intimate images.
In this one-stop guide, successful boudoir photographer Critsey Rowe reveals all you need to get started with your own boudoir studio, whether you’re an amateur shooting at home or a professional looking to tap into this exciting new revenue stream. Inside you’ll discover:

- A complete guide to boudoir, from equipment, makeup, and styling, to lighting, shooting, and step-by-step retouching.
- Thirty poses to flatter any subject, whatever her body type.
- Essential postproduction techniques to lift, smooth, and tone.
- Tips on making clients comfortable and collaborating with them to produce portraits they’ll love.

Harlots, hoodlums, and heathens in Brassaï's Paris

"Brassaï is a living eye," wrote Henry Miller of the Hungarian–born artist who adopted Paris after World War I and became one of its most celebrated photographers. Originally a painter before he moved on to writing, sculpture, cinema and, most famously, photography, Brassaï (1899-1984) was a member of Paris`s cultural elite, counting Miller, Picasso, Sartre, Camus, and Cocteau, among his friends. Camera in hand, he scoured the streets and bars of Paris, unabashedly capturing the city`s inhabitants in their natural habitats. Prostitutes, hoodlums, and other ‘marginal` characters were the most famous heroes of Brassaï`s moody, gritty photographs taken often by night. Including an extensive selection of Brassaï`s finest photographs and an essay describing his life and work, this book explores the world of Brassaï in thematic chapters: Minotaure magazine, Paris at Night, Secret Paris, Day Visions, Artists of My Life, and Graffiti and Transmutations.

Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Brian Bowen Smith became a professional photographer by a less traditional route than most. While performing as a pro athlete, Bowen Smith happen to catch the eye of legendary photographer Herb Ritts, who invited him to appear in a Gap ad campaign. Ritts subsequently became his mentor and friend.

Four years spent as Ritts’ assistant helped Bowen Smith to establish his photographic style, and assignments for W, Vanity Fair, Esquire, Self and Interview soon followed. Now living in Los Angeles, Bowen Smith has established himself as a veteran celebrity and beauty photographer, having worked with some of the best-known TV, music and movie stars of today (both up-and-coming and established), among them Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Warren Beatty, Orlando Bloom, Adrian Brody, Cindy Crawford, Sheryl Crow, Cat Deeley, Emily Deschanel, James Franco, Scott Glenn, Ethan Hawke, Demi Moore, Carolyn Murphy, Winona Ryder, Brooke Shields, Hillary Swank and Billy Bob Thornton, among many others.

As this first monograph shows, many of these stars have gone on to become close friends. Projects spans the gamut of Bowen Smith’s work, from personal work to commissioned assignments done over the past ten years.

The definitive book on the legendary photographer's life in New York City, with many never-before-seen images and reminiscences by his closest friends and confidants.  

From the 1930s, when he helped revolutionize fashion journalism, through the 1960s, when he launched headlong into the Pop art era, London-based photographer Cecil Beaton brought to New York City his own perspective - aristocratic, sexually ambiguous, and theatrical. At the same time, New York offered Beaton innumerable opportunities to reinvent himself and his career.

Cecil Beaton: The New York Years features sketches, costumes, set designs, previously unpublished letters, and over 220 photographs and drawings, many in color and never seen before. This volume documents Beaton's most influential relationships with quintessential figures of the New York art scene, including Greta Garbo, his female confidant and muse, and Andy Warhol. Richly illustrated, Cecil Beaton is the definitive portfolio chronicling Beaton's stunning career in fashion, portraiture, and the performing arts.  The book will be divided into five parts:

Beaton in Vogue: Beaton's photography for Condé Nast's Vogue in the 1930s hastened the decline of fashion illustration in favor of today's emphasis on photography. Beaton himself became a celebrity photographer, as famous as his subjects, in the later mold of Richard Avedon and Annie Leibovitz.

Beaton and the Stage: After World War II, Beaton appeared on the New York stage as an actor, and he also designed sets and costumes for such musicals as My Fair Lady and Coco and operas Vanessa and La Traviata, both at the Metropolitan Opera. 

Beaton on New York: Beaton produced many illustrated books on New York City and his tell-all diaries detailed his life among the city's best-known figures. Beaton was also commissioned to produce innumerable photographs of New Yorkers, from Truman Capote to Tom Wolfe.

Beaton on Garbo: Greta Garbo was Beaton's closest female friend  She was also his muse, and his photographs captured her in many different scenarios and moods from the mid-1940s, when she ended her Hollywood career and permanently moved to New York.

Beaton on Warhol: In 1968, Beaton was advised to photograph a group of young New Yorkers, the most famous of which was Andy Warhol and his Factory. In effect, this photo shoot charted the passing of the torch from Beaton to Warhol, two figures who defined their era's concepts of popular culture, celebrity, and sexual mores.

About the Author:

Donald Albrecht is the Museum of the City of New York's curator of architecture and design. He has contributed essays to a number of books about architecture and design, including Andree Putman: Complete Works and Gabellini: Architecture of the Interior.

In the last sixty years certain celebrities have really left an indelible mark on history: Paul Newman, Audrey Hepburn, Clint Eastwood, Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Barack Obama, Marilyn Monroe, Picasso, Yoko Ono...This book represents a stroll through this aspect of popular culture - a compilation of biographical photographs of over 300 celebrities (actors, artists, pop stars, politicians, models, media stars) who will always be unforgettable. Illustrated throughout with over 400 full colour and black-and-white iconic photographs.

Charlie Chaplin was one of Hollywood s most pivotal stars. He lived an interesting life both in his films and behind the camera. He is most recognized as the icon of the silent film era, mostly as the little tramp ; the man with the toothbrush moustache, bowler hat, bamboo cane, and a funny walk. He was born in London in 1889 to music hall-performing parents. After his parents split, he and his half brother spent time in and out of charity homes and workhouses between their mother's bouts of insanity. He started acting at 8, and began to tour with a vaudeville troupe that visited America. He never looked back. In 1913 in California, he signed on with Keystone Studios' popular comedy director Mack Sennett. While at Keystone, Chaplin appeared in and directed 35 films, starring as the Little Tramp in nearly all. In November 1914 he left Keystone and signed on at Essanay, where he made 15 films. In 1916, he signed on at Mutual and made 12 films. In June 1917 Chaplin signed up with First National Studios, after which he built Chaplin Studios. In 1919 he and Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith formed United Artists (UA). Chaplin was married four times and had a total of 11 children. He is considered one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of cinema.

The first monograph of one of the most exciting contemporary photographers, featuring all of his photography series to date and a look behind the scenes

Since the beginning of his career, Swiss-Italian photographer Christian Tagliavini has been fascinated by mise-en-scène photography and Renaissance portraiture. Referencing the painting style of the Old Masters, his carefully-staged photo portraits exude the dignity and composure of 15th and 16th-century courtly culture, meticulously replicating their dimensions, framing, and chiaroscuro effects. After his breakthrough with the series 1503, Tagliavini returns to the art historical theme with his new series, 1406, published for the first time in this book. In his process, however, Tagliavini takes a step further back from the Renaissance artist ideal, presenting himself instead as a “photographic craftsman” who designs each of his costumes and props by hand with a small team.

Particularly elaborate was the work on his most extensive series to-date, Voyages Extraordinaires, for which Tagliavini constructed entire scenes inspired by Jules Vernes’ novels. All of Tagliavini’s series are meticulously composed mise-en-scènes with a stunning, fantastical effect partly reminiscent of his early photographic idols Jeff Wall, Erwin Olaf, and Gregory Crewdson. This Tagliavini monograph includes all of his photographic series to-date as well as the images documenting the evolution of his projects he spent months working on. The result is both a comprehensive Tagliavini catalogue and a fascinating insight into the working process of one of the most original and talented photographers working today.

 About the Author:

Christian Tagliavini was born in 1971 and grew up in Italy and Switzerland. Before his photography career, he worked in engineering and architecture firms and as graphic designer, as reflected in his comprehensive approach.

He was born Eric Patrick Clapton, but you can just call him “Slowhand.”

Over the years, fans of Eric Clapton have debated the high points of an epic career in blues and rock ‘n’ roll spanning nearly fifty years. Which song best epitomizes Clapton’s skills as a songwriter? Which era—the Yardbirds, Cream or his solo work—stands about above the rest? Where does Clapton rank on the list of all-time guitar greats?

Whatever your opinions may be, one this is for sure: few artists have contributed as much to the world of music as the six-string magician from Ripley.

Put simply, one look at Clapton’s five-decade-long résumé is enough to blow any rock ‘n’ roll junkie’s mind. It includes time with the Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, the Plastic Ono Band, Bonnie & Delaney, Derek and the Dominoes, and his own solo discography, not to mention his Crossroads festivals and appearances at the Concert for Bangladesh, the Last Waltz, Live Aid, the Secret Policeman’s Other Ball, and so much more.

Along the way, Clapton has won seven Grammy Awards and eighteen gold, eight platinum, and seven multi-platinum albums—including one ten-times platinum LP. And if that weren’t enough, he’s also the only musician to have been inducted in the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame three times—as a solo performer and as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.

From respected author and rock journo Chris Welch, Clapton: The Ultimate Illustrated History is a beautifully illustrated celebration of all things Clapton. Packed with more than 400 photographs, guitars, concert posters, and other memorabilia, this first-of-its kind book also houses eleven chapters following Clapton’s remarkable career—from its earliest days to his various work in several now-legendary bands to his stunning solo career. Also included is a wealth of sidebars covering the gear Clapton has used through the years, as well as extensive appendices detailing his complete discography.

Sharing a passion for fast cars, Steve McQueen (1930-1980) and William Claxton became friends early in McQueen’s career and remained close until his premature death. Claxton frequented McQueen throughout his many incarnations (daredevil, dirt biker, movie star, sports car driver, ladies man, family man, etc.), capturing at every turn another side of McQueen’s enigmatic tough-guy/nice-guy personality. As this photo album demonstrates, Claxton’s photographic talent and sensibilities were perfectly attuned to the actor’s multifaceted character. This is the real Steve McQueen, immortalized by Claxton’s empathetic lens.