Saving Jazz

Of all the jazz legends that he captured in magnificent black-and-white - often in a cloud of smoke - not many are still alive, but their photographer is. More than a half-century ago, the now 83-year-old Herman Leonard photographed Charlie Parker, Billy Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington. Only toward the end of the 1980s did his work get the recognition it deserved. In the meantime, Leonard made a living with commercial assignments. Last year, Hurricane Katrina wrought havoc in New Orleans. Leonard, who left town just in time, takes stock of the damage a few weeks later. Some of his photos are beautifully framed by moisture, which has formed an authentic looking crackleware layer on them. Entrusted to a museum, his negatives are intact, which cannot be said for the city. Leonard is moved by the sight of destroyed or abandoned houses, streets and neighbourhoods. Months later, reconstruction still hasn't begun. He fears that "The essence of New Orleans has washed away." And that essence is jazz, the art form that was born in New Orleans. Leonard takes us back to the heyday of jazz, which by definition means a trip to New York City as well.