This Musical City: Heather Pinson on Herman Leonard

Dr. Heather Pinson is a classically trained violinist with an extensive performance resume. She also studied art and philosophy for her PhD in Interdisciplinary Arts. Pinson has published articles on popular music, jazz, aesthetics and race theory. Her interest in jazz led her to the work of photographer Herman Leonard who's iconic photos from the 1950's set the standard for jazz photography and ultimately were absorbed into American culture. For more than 50 years, his images have defined jazz to the general public as well as the jazz community.

Heather Pinson’s book "The Jazz Image-Seeing Music Through Herman Leonard's Photography" explores how this man's work became emblematic of a particular type of music in the context of contemporary visual culture. Listen to her speak with DUQ's Bob Studebaker about Leonard the artist, the jazz fan, the visionary, and the man.