CENTER FOR JAZZ ARTS PREMIERE EXHIBITION FEATURES WORK OF RENOWNED BEVERLY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHER WILLIAM CLAXTON November 20, 2004 Los Angeles --- Marking the official launch of its online visual arts program, the Center for Jazz Arts celebrates the genius of legendary photographer William Claxton in a premiere exhibition including rare photographs of Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Clint Eastwood, Herbie Hancock, Duke Ellington, and numerous other beloved figures from American music and film. Bringing the viewer into a collective dynamic spanning nearly fifty-years, "William Claxton's Hollywood" offers a timeless survey of images captured both behind the scenes and in the midst of an artistic community that continues to define a generation. "We're extremely honored to be working with Bill Claxton to launch the first of the CJA's online visual arts programs," explained Center for Jazz Arts president Guy DeFazio. "Originating through the lens of one of the most gifted photographer's of our time, the selected images provide the public with an extraordinary view of Hollywood's musical heritage." Born in Los Angeles in 1927, William Claxton has dedicated his life to documenting the evolving worlds of music, art, fashion, and entertainment, and his extensive body of work has been showcased in leading galleries from Los Angeles, New York, and Paris to Zurich, Brussels, Berlin, Tokyo, and beyond. In his continued passion for both exploring and re-defining the experience of American jazz, Claxton has captured countless, unforgettable moments in the lives of some of the most cherished artists of the twentieth-century. In a discussion of his approach to revealing the most inspired elements of his subjects, while also balancing the unique circumstances of the moment, Claxton described the experience by simply stating, "I am dedicated to beauty." That dedication has never been more evident than in the images assembled for this unique and enlightening exhibit. About the CJA: Established in 2004, the Center for Jazz Arts is an international institution devoted to the study and advancement of American jazz culture throughout the visual, literary, and classical arts, around the world. Through its primary operations in Los Angeles, it is building a prominent new platform of engagement for students, artists, educators, and the broader public, from every generation. For more information contact: Public Relations Center for Jazz Arts (866) 950-5200 info@centerforjazzarts.com [ back to top ]