Related Programs
Short Form Video:
BILL GOTTLIEB: RIFFS is a fascinating profile of Bill Gottlieb, the famed photographer who captured the Golden Age of Jazz through exquisitely detailed photographs. Featuring interviews with Gottlieb and a host of jazz authorities, the documentary tells the stories behind classic photos of such legendary musicians as Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker.
Gottlieb’s work in the field of photography actually began as a sideline to his journalism career. Since the newspapers and magazines that he wrote for couldn’t afford to send a photographer with him on his assignments, he happily took on both roles. It soon became apparent, though, that he possessed a remarkable eye for capturing the essence of a moment and the unique nature of his subjects.
Like the musicians that inspired him, Gottlieb blended technical skill with improvisational creativity. Each of his photos features a treasure trove of information, with deeper layers of meaning revealing themselves with each subsequent viewing. From the mysterious genius of Thelonius Monk to the dignified cool of Duke Ellington, Gottlieb’s brilliant work both documented and defined the jazz world of the 1930s and ‘40s.
Produced by Moe Green Entertainment.