Burt Goldblatt collection

Burt Goldblatt, (1924 -2006) was a famed jazz photographer as well as a prolific designer of moody jazz LP album covers for artists like Herbie Mann, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae and Charles Mingus.

Although he worked for Decca and Atlantic, Mr. Goldblatt designed most prodigiously for small labels, including Savoy, Jolly Roger and Bethlehem. He became known for abstracted caricatures and distorted portraits, but his photographic cover designs for Bethlehem helped define the genre by combining evocative photos with restrained yet lyrical typography.

Mr. Goldblatt was a denizen of recording studios, nightclubs and concerts, where he shot thousands of images, some of which he later used for cover designs.

He was accepted by the musicians and, in fact, was friends with many. The pianist Bud Powell named a tune for Mr. Goldblatt, and Chris Connor scatted lyrics in his honour.

The images outlines in this section are all original once off images that I acquired from his estate.