Jazz on Film: Selections from the William Gottlieb Collection
a treasure trove of jazz history from the Library of Congress
William P. Gottlieb was an important photographer known for his images of jazz musicians during the 1930s and 1940s. A self-taught photographer, he worked for The Washington Post, Down Beat magazine, and Record Changer. His intimate, candid portraits of jazz legends are celebrated for their storytelling quality, capturing the essence of artists both on and off stage.
In 1995, the Library of Congress acquired his collection with financial support from the Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Fund. This collection, documenting the peak of swing and the rise of modern jazz, includes photographs taken primarily in New York City and Washington, D.C. between 1938 and 1948. Gottlieb’s work remains a significant contribution to the preservation of American cultural history and is among the most widely reproduced images of jazz musicians. Per Gottlieb’s wishes, all photographs entered the public domain in 2010.
In this short post, I would like to share 10-15 of my favorite images from the Gottlieb collection, all available on the Library of Congress’ website. For fans of jazz and jazz history, this collection is an essential resource, along with a bevy of other things available through ther LOC, including an archive of interviews, lectures, concerts, and panels available.
