

Herman Leonard's love of jazz started at an early age, when he borrowed a camera from his brother and started hanging out in the jazz clubs in New York City. It was there, within the smokey rooms and poorly lit stages of Birdland and the Royal Roost, that Leonard honed his craft, practicing and perfecting his backlit lighting that makes his photographs so recognizable.
After earning his BFA in photography in 1947 from Ohio University (interrupted by a two and a half year stint in the U.S. Army), Leonard sought out Yousuf Karsh, the famous portrait photographer from Canada, who offered him a one year internship – a turning point in Leonard’s career. Working with Karsh, Leonard learned the tools of the trade, meeting such distinguished people as Albert Einstein, Harry Truman and Clark Gable.
Soon after his time with Karsh, Leonard moved to New York City and opened a studio in Greenwich Village, photographing aspiring actors, singers and dancers, while working for Life, Esquire, Look, Cosmopolitan and Playboy, among others. But jazz was his passion, and a camera around his neck became his ticket into night clubs and dressing rooms of some of the most well known musicians of the time. At age 25, Herman Leonard took on the world of jazz, starting a personal journey which became a life-long project.
Photographing such notables as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Thelonius Monk and Miles Davis, Leonard became a fixture of the jazz scene, his photographs gracing the covers of more than 200 albums. In 1989, after spending time in New York City, Paris, Ibiza and England, Leonard settled in New Orleans, immersing himself in a city known for its lively jazz and blues scene. With two monographs dedicated to his jazz work, Leonard is currently photographing in the local clubs, focusing his lens on young talent and seasoned pros who pass through New Orleans, including Lenny Kravitz, Dr. John and Cassandra Wilson.
All pieces from his second book, Images of Jazz, are housed in a permanent archive at the American Musical History Department of The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. He received numerous awards and accolades and is considered to be one of the finest jazz photographers to date. Herman Leonard passed away at the age of 87 in August of 2010.
All images were printed during Herman's lifetime and signed, titled, dated, and editioned by the artist, with a few exceptions. Most images are available as 11 x 14", 16 x 20" and 20" x 24" gelatin silver prints in a limited supply. Pieces range in price from $1800 to $22,000+, depending on size and availability. There are a few exceptions to the above pricing.
Please call: (312) 266-2350 for prices of specific pieces.
Prices are print only unless otherwise indicated.
Art Blakey, Paris [ARB01], 1958
Herman Leonard, Art Blakey, Paris [ARB01], 1958
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” geletin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Billie Holiday, NYC [BLH03], 1949
Herman Leonard, Billie Holiday, NYC [BLH03], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Billie Holiday, NYC [BLH22], 1949
Herman Leonard, Billie Holiday, NYC [BLH22], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Billy Eckstine, NYC [BLE03], 1948
Herman Leonard, Billy Eckstine, NYC [BLE03], 1948
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Bop City, NYC [BPC06], 1953
Herman Leonard, Bop City, NYC [BPC06], 1953
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Brown & Roach, NYC [CLB/MXR02] , 1958
Herman Leonard, Brown & Roach, NYC [CLB/MXR02] , 1958
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Bud Powell, NYC [BDP02], 1949
Herman Leonard, Bud Powell, NYC [BDP02], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Charlie "Bird" Parker, NYC [CHP01] , 1949
Herman Leonard, Charlie "Bird" Parker, NYC [CHP01] , 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Chet Baker, NYC [CHB02], 1956
Herman Leonard, Chet Baker, NYC [CHB02], 1956
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11", 16 x 20", 24 x 20" gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Count Basie, Paris [CTB05], 1960
Herman Leonard, Count Basie, Paris [CTB05], 1960
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Dave Brubeck, Newport Jazz Fest [DVB02], 1955
Herman Leonard, Dave Brubeck, Newport Jazz Fest [DVB02], 1955
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Dexter Gordon, NYC [DXG01], 1948
Herman Leonard, Dexter Gordon, NYC [DXG01], 1948
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Dinah Washington, NYC [DNW04], 1955
Herman Leonard, Dinah Washington, NYC [DNW04], 1955
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Dizzy Gillespie, NYC [DZG02], 1955
Herman Leonard, Dizzy Gillespie, NYC [DZG02], 1955
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Dizzy Gillespie, NYC [DZG04], 1948
Herman Leonard, Dizzy Gillespie, NYC [DZG04], 1948
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Dr. John, San Fransisco [DRJ02], 1992
Herman Leonard, Dr. John, San Fransisco [DRJ02], 1992
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Duke Ellington, NYC [DKE04], 1958
Herman Leonard, Duke Ellington, NYC [DKE04], 1958
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Duke Ellington, Paris [DKE02], 1958
Herman Leonard, Duke Ellington, Paris [DKE02], 1958
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Duke Ellington, Paris [DKE08], 1960
Herman Leonard, Duke Ellington, Paris [DKE08], 1960
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Duke Ellington, Paris, Shoes [DKE03], 1958
Herman Leonard, Duke Ellington, Paris, Shoes [DKE03], 1958
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Downbeat Club, NYC [ELF03] , 1949 / printed 2012
Herman Leonard, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Downbeat Club, NYC [ELF03] , 1949 / printed 2012
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 17" gelatin silver print
#4/5Ella Fitzgerald, NYC [ELF01], 1949
Herman Leonard, Ella Fitzgerald, NYC [ELF01], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Ella Fitzgerald, NYC [ELF09], 1949
Herman Leonard, Ella Fitzgerald, NYC [ELF09], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Ella Fitzgerald, NYC [ELF09], 1949
Herman Leonard, Ella Fitzgerald, NYC [ELF09], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Ella Fitzgerald, Paris, Olympia Theatre [ELF02], 1960
Herman Leonard, Ella Fitzgerald, Paris, Olympia Theatre [ELF02], 1960
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Fitzgerald & Ellington, NYC [ELF07] , 1948
Herman Leonard, Fitzgerald & Ellington, NYC [ELF07] , 1948
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” geletin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Frank Sinatra, Monte Carlo [FRS01] , 1948
Herman Leonard, Frank Sinatra, Monte Carlo [FRS01] , 1948
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Frank Sinatra, NYC [FRS02], 1956/ printed later
Herman Leonard, Frank Sinatra, NYC [FRS02], 1956/ printed later
From the A Life with Jazz series
16 x 20" geletin silver print
#44/50Frank Sinatra, NYC [FRS03], 1956
Herman Leonard, Frank Sinatra, NYC [FRS03], 1956
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50James Moody, NYC [JMM01], 1951
Herman Leonard, James Moody, NYC [JMM01], 1951
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Johnny Hodges, Paris [JNH01], 1958
Herman Leonard, Johnny Hodges, Paris [JNH01], 1958
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11", 16 x 20", 24 x 20" gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Lena Horne, NYC [LNH03], 1948
Herman Leonard, Lena Horne, NYC [LNH03], 1948
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Lenny Kravitz, New Orleans [LNK06] , 2004
Herman Leonard, Lenny Kravitz, New Orleans [LNK06] , 2004
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” silver gelatin print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Lester Young, NYC, Hat "Prez" [LSY03] , 1948
Herman Leonard, Lester Young, NYC, Hat "Prez" [LSY03] , 1948
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Louis Armstrong, NYC [LSA04], 1949
Herman Leonard, Louis Armstrong, NYC [LSA04], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Louis Armstrong, Paris [LSA07], 1960
Herman Leonard, Louis Armstrong, Paris [LSA07], 1960
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Marilyn Monroe, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, NYC [MRM01], 1953
Herman Leonard, Marilyn Monroe, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, NYC [MRM01], 1953
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” silver gelatin print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Miles Davis, Birdland [MLD08], 1949
Herman Leonard, Miles Davis, Birdland [MLD08], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Miles Davis, Montreux [MLD10], 1991
Herman Leonard, Miles Davis, Montreux [MLD10], 1991
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Miles Davis, Montreux [MLD15], 1991
Herman Leonard, Miles Davis, Montreux [MLD15], 1991
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Nat King Cole, NYC [NKC04], 1949
Herman Leonard, Nat King Cole, NYC [NKC04], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Nat King Cole, NYC, Quartet [NKC01] , 1949
Herman Leonard, Nat King Cole, NYC, Quartet [NKC01] , 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Palm Court Cafe, New Orleans [PCC01] , 1996
Herman Leonard, Palm Court Cafe, New Orleans [PCC01] , 1996
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” silver gelatin print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Parker & Gillespie, NYC [CHP/DZG01] , 1949
Herman Leonard, Parker & Gillespie, NYC [CHP/DZG01] , 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Pearl Bailey, NYC [PRB01], 1950
Herman Leonard, Pearl Bailey, NYC [PRB01], 1950
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Quincy Jones, NYC [QYJ01], 1955
Herman Leonard, Quincy Jones, NYC [QYJ01], 1955
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Ray Brown, NYC [RYB01], 1948
Herman Leonard, Ray Brown, NYC [RYB01], 1948
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Sarah Vaughan, NYC [SRV01], 1950
Herman Leonard, Sarah Vaughan, NYC [SRV01], 1950
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Sarah Vaughan, NYC [SRV02], 1949
Herman Leonard, Sarah Vaughan, NYC [SRV02], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Sonny Stitt, NYC [SNS01], 1953
Herman Leonard, Sonny Stitt, NYC [SNS01], 1953
From the A Life with Jazz series
11 x 14”, 16 x 20”, 20 x 24” geletin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Spirit of New Orleans, New Orleans, 2001 [NOL04], 2001
Herman Leonard, Spirit of New Orleans, New Orleans, 2001 [NOL04], 2001
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” silver gelatin print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Stan Getz, NYC [STG01], 1949
Herman Leonard, Stan Getz, NYC [STG01], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Stan Kenton, Atlanta, Shoes,[STK01] , 1950
Herman Leonard, Stan Kenton, Atlanta, Shoes,[STK01] , 1950
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Thelonious Monk, NYC [THM01], 1949
Herman Leonard, Thelonious Monk, NYC [THM01], 1949
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50Tony Bennett, NYC [TYB02], 1950
Herman Leonard, Tony Bennett, NYC [TYB02], 1950
From the A Life with Jazz series
14 x 11”, 20 x 16”, 24 x 20” gelatin silver print
Open edition, edition of 50, 50