Claxton

Sad to learn of the passing of another great American photographer last Saturday. William Claxton was at the forefront of putting a decidedly "west coast" thumbprint on the jazz scene from the early 50's and beyond..."cool" and laid back west coast as opposed to "hot" and frenzied east coast. The dude would go on to inspire other photogs, filmmakers, fashion editors, art directors, etc. forever.  

-francisco

"most of the jazz photography before me showed sweaty musicians with shiny faces in dark, smoky little bars. That was jazz to most people. But being on the West Coast, I wanted to bring out the fact that musicians were living in a very health conscious environment. So I purposely put them on the beach or in the mountains or on the road in their convertibles..."

-William Claxton