Overview

Throughout Les McCann's incredible jazz career, he took hundreds of photos—at clubs, studios, and festivals around the world—and documented the vibrant cultural life of jazz and soul between 1960 and 1980. These photos include a very young Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sammy Davis Jr., John Coltrane, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Richard Pryor, Quincy Jones, Tina Turner, Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderly, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, B.B. King, Errol Garner, Stanley Clarke, Bill Evans, Lionel Hampton, and other black celebrities, such as Bill Cosby, Muhammed Ali, and Stokely Carmichael to name but a few. These photos are characterized by their intimacy, and the cross-section of names listed is merely the tip of the iceberg. The book features candid commentary by McCann himself and is curated by Pat Thomas (Listen, Whitey!: The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975) and maverick music producer Alan Abrahams (Pure Prairie League, Joan Baez, Stanley Turrentine, Kris Kristofferson, Taj Mahal).

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9781606997864

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Reviews

If McCann never touched a piano in his life, he'd likely still have become famous as a photographer. The proof is in his new book, Invitation to Openness: The Jazz & Soul Photography of Les McCann, which collects many of his best pictures. Looking at McCann's photographs, one gets the distinct sense of being in the room with the subjects. ... In each case, McCann's lens strips these icons of pretense, brushes away the dust of history, and leaves them not naked, not vulnerable, but open.--Travis Atria ""Red Bull Music Academy"" One of the most thoroughly enjoyable parts of the book Invitation to Openness, alongside his insightful pictures, is McCann's personal remembrances of his photographic subjects...--Chris M. Slawecki ""All About Jazz""

Few photo books cover such a wide range of interests ranging from politics to sports... Reading between the lines, it is clear that there is so much more to Mr. McCann than his historical body of brilliant music making. With the purchase of his new book, jazz fans get the opportunity to appreciate the 'invitation to openness' that is provided by this gifted artist. Don t miss out on this opportunity. --Jeff Krow

Author Information

Born in 1935 in Lexington, Kentucky, pianist/singer/songwriter Les McCann moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s (after a stint in the Navy), where he formed a popular trio. Miles Davis urged him to work with Cannonball Adderly, but McCann chose to remain independent, and began recording ""soul-jazz"" albums for the Pacific Jazz label in 1960. His socially conscious album Swiss Movement, recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, has sold millions of copies and reached #1 on the Billboard chart. McCann's work continued to chart throughout the '70s: he has collaborated with many noteworthy musicians, and he is frequently sampled. McCann is also a painter, and has exhibited his photography. He continues to tour. Pat Thomas is the co-editor of Invitation to Openness: the Jazz & Soul Photography of Les McCann 1960-1980 and Ernie in Kovacsland. He is the author of Material Wealth: Mining the Personal Archive of Allen Ginsberg, Listen Whitey! The Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975, and Did It! Jerry Rubin: An American Revolutionary. He lives in California.

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