Earlier this month, Jazz at Lincoln Center kicked off Jazz at First Sight: The Art of David Stone Martin, an exhibit of the work of an artist who illustrated the covers of many jazz albums of the 40s and 50s. Strongly influenced by painter Ben Shahn, Martin’s simple but evocative line drawings became emblematic of the jazz record cover, thanks to his work with the Verve, Mercury and Dial labels. Over the course of his career, he illustrated over 400 record albums. Martin died in 1992, but his work continues to fascinate young artists and illustrators, many of whom pay homage to his iconic combination of basic lines and one color.
This exhibit is curated by Robert G. O’Meally, C. Daniel Dawson, Diedra Harris-Kelley and Linda Florio (designer), with Tad Hershorn of the Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University, serving as special curatorial advisor.
The exhibit, which opened on July 3 and runs through December 31, can be seen at the Peter Jay Sharp Arcade, 5th floor of the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Columbus Circle in New York City. The exhibit is free and open to the public, Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm and 6pm to 11pm and Monday from 6pm to 11pm. In addition, JALC is offering free guided gallery talks with the curators, as follows:
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Sat, Jul 24 at 6:30pm with Diedra Harris-Kelley
Sat, Sep 25 at 6:30pm with Robert G. O’Meally
Sat, Oct 9 at 6:30pm with Diedra Harris-Kelley
Sat, Nov 13 at 6:30pm with C. Daniel Dawson
All tours meet in the Peter Jay Sharp Arcade, 5th Floor, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Columbus Circle, NYC.
