Charlie Parker & Dizzie Gillespie, NYC

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Artist Herman Leonard (American, 1923–2010)American, 1923–2010

CultureAmerican

Titles

Charlie Parker & Dizzie Gillespie, NYC

Date1949

PlaceNew York, New York, United States

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsImage: 9 5/8 × 13 in. (24.5 × 33 cm)
Sheet: 10 7/8 × 13 15/16 in. (27.6 × 35.4 cm)

Credit LineGift of Catherine Edelman

Object number2024.1054

Current Location

The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building

Gallery 208

On view

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Department

Photography

Object Type

PHOTOGRAPHS

DescriptionHerman Leonard rubbed shoulders with numerous celebrities across the course of his career. As an assistant to Yousouf Karsh, he worked on portrait sessions with Martha Graham, Harry Truman, and Albert Einstein. In the late 1940s, Leonard opened his own studio in Greenwich Village and took to photographing jazz clubs throughout New York City. Often exchanging free publicity stills for entry into these clubs, Leonard quickly established rapport with some of jazz’s greatest performers. He photographed dynamic performances, as well as moments of levity and connection off stage, such as in this picture with Charlie Parker and Dizzie Gillespie.
ProvenanceCatherine Edelman, Chicago; given to MFAH, 2024.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Inscribed in black ink, recto, lower left below image: Charlie Parker & Dizzie Gillespie NYC 1948
Signed in black ink, recto, lower right below image: Herman Leonard

Signed in black ink, recto, lower right below image: Herman Leonard

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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