Jazz photographer Herman Leonard has sadly passed away this week in Los Angeles at the age of 87.
Leonard became a legend of Jazz photography with his smoky, backlight black and white shots defining the scene from the late 1940's when he began shooting. Icons of Jazz such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis were all captured in his images.
Leonard himself lead a colourful life, born in Allentown, PA he studied photography at University in Ohio before spending time in the army. After his stint he returned to photography where his career took him to work in New York, Paris and the Far East for private clients and commerical publications such as Playboy. However, he always remained loyal to his first passion of Jazz and it is his work here that he will be best remembered for.
Leonard is survived by his children Valerie, Shana, Michael, David and his six grandchildren.
