William P. Gottlieb: Photographs from the Golden Age of Jazz
In a hurry? Save or print these Collection Connections as a single file.
You may go directly to the collection, William P. Gottlieb: Photographs from the Golden Age of Jazz, in American Memory.
The William P. Gottlieb: Photographs from the Golden Age of Jazz collection features approximately 1,600 photographs taken by the writer and photographer William P. Gottlieb. Most of the photographs were shot between 1938 and 1948. Included among them are portraits of some of the greatest and best known musicians of the era—Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzie Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Stan Kenton, Charlie Parker, Mel Torme, and many more. The collection also includes articles from Down Beat magazine, for which Gottlieb worked after World War II, and images of Down Beat covers, as well as Gottlieb's own reflections on a select group of images. Permission from the Gottlieb estate is required through February 16, 2010 for commercial uses or uses exceeding fair use.
The collection provides an opportunity for students to examine in depth the art of photography, particularly portrait photography shot on location. It also provides a window into a particular piece of cultural history—the jazz scene in an era when jazz was at its peak and new forms of this particularly American art form were evolving. Further, close analysis of the documents in the collection reveals the connections jazz and issues related to race, gender, and the labor movement.
The collection can be searched by keyword or browsed by name, subject, or venue.
Jazz in the 1930s
Jazz is an American invention, developed by African-American musicians. It emerged in the early 1900s as its creators combined elements from West African musical traditions with elements from religious music and from other types of popular music based on European traditions. While some ingredients of jazz were borrowed from other musical genres, the music that emerged was unique, an art form of its own. A key element of jazz is improvisation, the adaptation of a melody or countermelody as a song is being performed. Thus, a song may be different every time it is played.
The new musical creation was dubbed jazz around 1915, although the exact origins of the term are not known. New Orleans is considered the birthplace of jazz, but Chicago, New York, and Kansas City soon emerged as important centers for jazz musicians.
By the 1930s, when William Gottlieb began taking the photographs that comprise the William P. Gottlieb: Photographs from the Golden Age of Jazz collection, swing had become the most popular form of jazz. Swing has been described as having an optimistic feeling—and the nation needed that optimism as the Great Depression showed no signs of relenting. People wanted to dance to the music played by large swing bands led by such musicians as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Paul Whiteman, and Benny Goodman, and featuring such renowned soloists as Ella Fitzgerald. Swing bands played their music live on the radio, as well as in dance clubs, bars and restaurants, and concert halls.
Jazz groups and audiences of the time were often segregated. Although African-American musicians played at such venues as Roseland in New York City, black people were not allowed in the audience. Still, some musicians broke the color barrier. When renowned African-American vocalist Billie Holiday toured with white bandleader Artie Shaw, audiences were shocked. White bandleader Benny Goodman worked with such noted African-American instrumentalists as Teddy Wilson (piano), Lionel Hampton (vibes), and Charlie Christian (guitar).