Photo exhibit gives picture of jazz life

Friday, March 21, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and Louis Armstrong are among the many jazz greats featured in "Jazz: William Claxton," a photo exhibition at the Winchester Community Center Gallery.

Claxton's portraits convey the spirit of jazz culture through intimate, poetic glimpses of legendary artists at work and at play in rehearsal halls, nightclubs, hotel rooms and at home. The photographs in the exhibit span 1955 to 1975 and include images of Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Count Basie, Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday and Las Vegas' own Joe Williams.

Claxton first achieved international recognition in 1962 when his book "Jazz-Life" was published in Europe. Composed of Claxton's photographs with accompanying text in French, German and Italian, "Jazz-Life" became an instant classic.

Claxton developed an early passion for music, prompting him to begin photographing the thriving Los Angeles jazz scene in the 1950s.

"Jazz: William Claxton" is organized and circulated by Curatorial Assistance in Los Angeles.

Winchester Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive, is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. There is no admission fee. For more information, call 455-7340.

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