On a Blue Note

Despite the mainstream racism faced by America’s jazz pioneers, they brought an enduring elegance, joy, and virtuosity to uniquely American music art forms. These talented artists created and popularized musical approaches that influenced an entire world, and their vast body of work continues to inform and inspire subsequent generations of musicians and listeners. They are as revered in Europe, Russia, and the Far East as they are in the United States. This work attempts to convey the mood of a dimly lit jazz club, featuring Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, and Louis Armstrong. Original images courtesy of the late Duncan Scheidt, with permission, and Library of Congress.