Dancing in the streets: William Claxton's jazz life – in pictures

In 1960, photographer William Claxton and German musicologist Joachim Berendt travelled the United States from Greenwich Village to Chicago and California, hot the heels of a musical phenomenon

Leah McLaren

Main image: Bop til you drop: funeral march in New Orleans Copyright: William Claxton Photograph: Copyright: William Claxton

  • All that jazz

    In the middle of the last century, jazz swept the US, crossing racial and class divides. Excited to document the phenomenon, Berendt decided to travel the country talking to musicians including John Coltrane, Billie Holiday and Miles Davis.
    In the 1950s jazz swept across regional, racial and class divides in America.

  • Andre Previn, Hollywood

    After seeing his work on album covers, Berendt asked Claxton along to photograph the journey because his pictures had ‘soul’. “He made it all sound a bit erudite,” said Claxton, “but it seemed like a very important project, and I was thrilled by his offer.”
    Andre Previn, Hollywood

  • Future jazz musicians, Greenwich Village

    Claxton wanted to get away from familiar scenes of sweaty-faced musicians in smoky clubs. He found these kids on the street in downtown New York.
    Future jazz musicians, Greenwich Village.

  • West Coast cool

    The Lighthouse in Hermosa was the first club devoted to West Coast jazz, which became fsahionable in the mid-50s.
    West Coast cool

  • Drummer Elvin Jones outside Birdland

    At Broadway and 52nd Street in Manhattan, Birdland was known as the “jazz corner of the world’. Everyone played there.
    At Broadway and 52nd Street in Manhattan, Birdland was known as the “jazz corner of the world’. Everyone played there.

  • The Chicago sound

    The Ramsay Lewis Trio at Chicago’s Loop: Eldee Young (bass), Ramsey Lewis (piano) and Isaac “Redd” Holt (drums).
    The Ramsay Lewis Trio at Chicago’s Loop: Eldee Young (bass), Ramsey Lewis (piano) and Isaac “Redd” Holt (drums).

  • Art Pepper

    The alto saxophonist lost his way during the transition to hard bop, and gave up a long struggle against drugs.
    The alto saxophonist lost his way during the transition to hard bop, and gave up a long struggle against drugs.

  • New Orleans funeral march

    A procession home from the cemetery turns into a party and celebration for the dead with the music of the brass bands.
    A procession home from the cemetery turns into a party and celebration for the dead with the music of the brass bands.
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