Joachim-Ernst Berendt is a German music theory academic living in Baden-Baden. He wanted to go to America and publish a book on the most valuable local art form — Jazz. He needed a photographer who is passionate about jazz to hit the road with. Searching in his memory, a photographer who shot many soulful jazz album covers in Europe sprang to mind. The oversea call got through, and connected him to William Claxton.
Claxon was ecstatic, for it is a one-in-a-million opportunity for a thirty-two-year-old photographer. Discussing with newly-wed wife Peggy Moffitt, she questioned if ‘that person would pay you? Are you going to leave me behind?’ It turned out that Berendt had budget of 7,000 dollars and would cover all expenses on the journey. 7,000 dollars then is equivalent to 7,000,000 dollars now, posing a difficult dilemma to Claxon.
In the end Claxon agreed to join Berendt on the road, and started their jazz journey in New York. They went around America and captured everything on Jazz, from the legendary to the unknown musicians. ‘Jazz Life’ was as a result.
Published as a 1,000 limited autographed edition, the publisher updated some information and added unseen photographers in a new edition in 2003. With an introduction written by Claxon, the 25th anniversary edition of ‘Jazz Life’ is published by Taschen. A travel journal for a jazz fan, the reader can follow the photographs to rewind time to forty years ago.
‘Jazz Life’ features many well known jazz figures such as Charlie Parker, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, there is also a photograph of Art Pepper climbing up the slope of LA Fargo Street on his way home, symbolizing his painful struggle between drugs and career at that particular point. Moffitt, Claxon’s newly wed wife, ended up following her husband to New York and continued working as a model.
