Charlie Parker & Strings By David Stone Martin

A classic illustration by David Stone Martin for one of the original Charlie Parker With Strings L.P.s (1950)

Don Byas By David Stone Martin

Somehow Don Byas hasn't ranked high as far as the value of his records are concerned, probably because he isn't thought of as a bebop/post war player like Dexter Gordon per se (even though he helped create the idiom), and also because he didn't record for Blue Note Records (as far as I know). Nevertheless, he was an outstanding tenor player-up there with Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, and the like. This David Stone Martin illustration has always been one of my favorites, and this particular piece is not found as frequently as other releases such as the Jazz At The Philharmonic series.

Meade Lux lewis By David Stone Martin

This is one of my favorite David Stone Martin album covers, depicting men moving a piano into a brothel, aptly titled Cathouse Piano. Meade Lex Lewis was a master of stride, barrelhouse and boogie woogie playing, unfortunately he isn't played too often over the airwaves these days.

James P. Johnson By David Stone Martin

Here’s a great example of David Stone Martin’s versatility as an illustrator. His work is usually line oriented with a minimalist approach, but this particular piece really showcases his rendering skills. James P. Johnson (for those who don’t know) was an iconic stride and boogie-woogie pianist who played an important role in the transition from ragtime into the jazz era.

James Dean By David Stone Martin

An interesting cover by David Stone Martin for the "James Dean Story" documentary that was released after his death in the 1950’s. Music by Bud Shank. To the best of my knowledge this item has not been reissued.

Stan Getz By David Stone Martin

Another fine example of David Stone Martin's minimalist illustration style.

Flip Phillips By David Stone Martin

John Kirby By David Stone Martin

Unsung hero of Jazz-John Kirby as illustrated by David Stone Martin

Lester Young By David Stone Martin

Another fine David Stone Martin illustration-I'm not quite sure what tunes were on this LP, but most everything by Lester Young has been reissued and is well worth exploring.
Check out this classic video-Jammin The Blues!

Bud Powell By David Stone Martin

Bud Powell is considered by most lovers of modern jazz to be the Godfather of BeBop piano, influencing and inspiring the following generations of musicians in the idiom.

Dizzy Gillespie By David Stone Martin

This incredible Dizzy Gillespie LP entitled Afro, features The Manteca Suite, written by Cuban Genius Chico O’Farrill, and a beautiful cover art by David Stone Martin.
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Johnny Hodges By David Stone Martin

Here’s another great example of David Stone Martin’s illustration style. I especially dig the way he captured the chair in this drawing. Johnny Hodges was Duke Ellington’s star alto sax player, and had a unique, identifiable style all his own. I’m not sure what tracks were on this album as I couldn’t seem to find a reissue online (and I don’t have a copy in my collection), but I’m sure the music has been reissued and repackaged by now, perhaps with a different cover. Nevertheless, you can’t really go wrong with any of Johnny Hodges’ music.

Fred Astaire By David Stone Martin

Another fine example of David Stone Martin’s illustration style, taken from a series of photos by Gjon Mili during the recording sessions for “The Astaire Story”. It was originally released in 1952 as a limited edition box set of L.P.s with photos, illustrations, and also signed my Fred Astaire. The music is quite extraordinary, featuring Astaire vocalizing and tap dancing with the Oscar Peterson Trio.

Art Tatum By David Stone Martin

(photo:Gjon Mili; bassist-Oscar Pettiford)

There is no doubt that Art Tatum is the greatest pianist that ever lived. If you’ve never heard his music, go get some a.s.a.p. This particular David Stone Martin illustration is interesting as a real study of his minimalistic drawing style as you can see from the Gjon Mili photo that it was taken from.

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Coleman Hawkins By David Stone Martin

Some years ago I found this set of three Coleman Hawkins 78’s on the Asch Label, with cover art by David Stone Martin. It set me back a whopping three whole dollars. When I got home and opened it up, I noticed that the inner cover was autographed by Hawkins personally.
Another great day in the vinyl cemetery.

Roy Eldridge by David Stone Martin

Another great album cover by master illustrator David Stone Martin.
Roy Eldridge was Dizzy Gillespie’s idol. You can definitely hear it in his playing and how he took Roy’s ideas to a new level. There is a common thread in the evolution of trumpet playing from Louis Armstrong to Roy Eldridge to Dizzy Gillespie to Clifford Brown to Lee Morgan. I recommend listening to them in chronology to really get what I’m talkin’ bout.
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David Stone Martin & Stan Getz

David Stone Martin was a prolific artist, most noted for his jazz album cover graphics spanning the 1940's through the early 80's. Stan Getz At The Shrine is a classic, well worth checking out.
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