BOB PARENT (1923–1987)

Billie Holiday, Carnegie Hall, New York, September 1953 and Sidney Bechet, New York, August 1953
two gelatin silver press prints, printed later
stamped photographer’s credit and ink annotations (verso)
each: 11 x 14 in. (28 x 35.5 cm.)

Best known for his atmospheric and expressive images capturing the jazz greats at New York City nightclubs, Bob Parent was one of the first photographers to work by available light. In order to avoid disrupting performances, writes the New York Times, ‘he developed a signature technique that allowed him to work without flashbulbs… It gave his work a dark and intimate feel.’ His photos appeared regularly in Life, DownBeat and Metronome magazines and he provided images for numerous album covers, including many for Charles Mingus’ label Debut Records. Facini, New York Times, (8 March 2019).

Billie Holiday’s appearance at Carnegie Hall on 26 September 1953 saw her share a bill with Stan Kenton’s orchestra, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell’s trio. The present image was used for the cover of her 1957 album Lady Sings. The photograph of Sidney Bechet captures a rare New York performance at Child’s Paramount Restaurant on 23 August 1953 – by the early 1950s he had settled in France following a surge in popularity after his performance at the 1950 Paris Jazz Fair and signed a contract with record label French Vogue in 1953. Provenance: Larry Adler (American harmonica player, 1914-2001).