Swing Era New York: Jazz Photographs of Charles Peterson - Hardcover

Stokes, W. Royal

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1566392276 ISBN 13: 9781566392273

Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S., 1994

Synopsis

Charles Peterson entered the jazz world of New York as a guitarist but made his true contribution documenting an era and its most notable performers. A photographer whose images captured the passion and intensity of his subjects, Peterson took up the camera in the mid-1930s and transformed himself from a performer on stage to a visual recorder and observer of the stage. Creating a photographic style that combines artistic sensibility and technical skill, he became a preeminent New York jazz photographer of the pre-bebop, small combos and Big Band era. A deep love of jazz led Peterson to the legendary clubs of Harlem, 52nd Street, and Greenwich Village; concert halls and ballrooms; jam sessions; recording studios; backstage get-togethers; and private parties. As a jazz scene insider, Peterson had access to all of these formal and informal venues and was often recommended to shoot special events by musicians, record producers, and club owners because, as Eddie Condon once noted, "he knows how to handle musicians. He won't bother them when he shouldn't bother them and he'll get what you want." And he did. Among the countless subjects he enshrined on film are Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Zutty Singleton, Fats Waller, Mildred Bailey, Cab Calloway, Pee Wee Russell, Lester Young, and Jack Teagarden. Peterson's photographs expose a startling contrast between integrated bandstands and audiences and the segregated world, and reveal the determination of those who refused to be confined by such oppressive conventions of the time. They depict musicianship and camaraderie, dancing, and technical innovation, as well as the harsh contrast of an all-too-pervasivealcoholism that interrupted the lives of many in that New York scene. Jazz historian and critic W. Royal Stokes provides commentary, historical and biographical information, and lively anecdotes that connect the musicians featured in Peterson's photographs to each other and to the mus

About this title

Review:

"W. Royal Stokes['s]...text is much more than captions; it's a richly detailed commentary that embraces notation, anecdote and overview...Jazz has had a number of distinctive photographers...Peterson clearly belongs in their company." --Washington Post "A compact yet sumptuous volume, it's one of the finest collections of its kind--unexpectedly so, because while a handful of these pictures are classics, most have not been seen in half a century." --Village Voice "Once again, Royal Stokes does it." --Bill Cosby "No one is more qualified than W. Royal Stokes to write an overview of the swing era in New York. It is the definitive work on the subject, informative, exciting, and vastly entertaining." --Mel Torme "A great book--Charles Peterson's memorable photos and Royal Stokes' comments and quotes help bring back the feeling of excitement and discovery I experienced when I first heard the great jazz masters of the 1920s and 1930s." --Billy Taylor I saw it, lived it, Charles Peterson captured it. His visual imagery of the swing era in New York is authentic, intimate, and filled with emotion." --Milt "Judge" Hinton

Synopsis:

This text reproduces the photographs of Charles Peterson. The commentary is historical and biographical, with anecdotes connecting the musicians featured in the pictures. The photographs were restored by Peterson's son from the original negatives.

About this edition

• Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 1566392276
• ISBN 13: 9781566392273
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 232