Jim Marshall's Jazz Festival

A new book presents a collection of rare and beautiful images by photographer Jim Marshall. These are his jazz festival photographs from the 1960s, over 95% of which have never been seen before.

Marshall’s remarkable photographs of the festivals at Newport and Monterey immortalize the unique energy and soul of these events. His lens captures the crowd, the performances and unguarded moments with jazz icons like Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Nina Simone, and many more and a wonderful insight into the fashion and culture of the jazz scene at the time. 

Author and designer Graham Marsh said, “In the 1960s, when it came to jazz, style was part of the equation in both clothes and attitude. At Monterey and Newport black culture was openly embraced and integrated audiences were the norm. Nobody cared – as long as you looked sharp and dug the music. It was dressing fine and making time.”

Jim Marshall died in 2010. In 2014 he became the only photographer ever to be honoured by the Grammys with a Trustees Award for his life’s work. This is the first in a series of books to be published in collaboration with The Jim Marshall Archive who have granted complete access. It is introduced by a foreword by President Bill Clinton, an introduction by legendary jazz writer Nat Hentoff.

'Jim Marshall: Jazz Festival' is released now and published by Reel Art Press. You can buy your copy here.