(Allentown, Pennsylvania, 1923 - 2010, Los Angeles, California)
1949 (printed later)
Gelatin silver print
8 7/8 x 12 5/8 in. (22.6 x 32.0 cm)
Collection of the Akron Art Museum
Gift of George Stephanopoulos
2008.127
From 1933 - 1961 Metronome magazine held an annual poll asking readers to select their top jazz instrumentalists. The selected musicians were then dubbed the “Metronome All Stars” and would typically record two songs together with short solos from each participant. The 1949 All Stars included Billy Bauer on guitar, Eddie Safranski on bass, saxophonist Charles “Yardbird” Parker and Lennie Tristano on piano. The comfort and trust felt between Leonard and his subjects made it possible for the photographer to capture intimate moments, such as this rehearsal break, that offer rare insights into the world of jazz.