JazzSnap: Buddy and Conte (1947)

JazzWax has come into the possession of some amazing digital jazz photos from the 1940s. What makes these images special is that many were snapshots taken by a woman named Betty who was and remains crazy about jazz and jazz musicians. In fact, Betty was friends with many of her subjects. She also had a remarkable eye for composition, and she positioned her camera lens up close. Through her photos, you get a vivid sense of her subjects' ambition, charm and cool. I will feature Betty's photos (sent along by her friend Chris) from time to time. Think of them as a surprise, just as they were to me.

Today's image above is of clarinetist Buddy DeFranco (left) and trumpeter Conte Candoli, circa 1947, when both were in the Boyd Raeburn band. This one was likely taken on the loading dock of a New York City theater during a break between performances or at a rehearsal. As Buddy mentioned to me the other day after viewing the image, "We look like we're 14 years old. In fact, we might have been!"

Comments

[Richard Salvucci]

I was driving back from Houston and thinking of Conte tonight, a solo quoting Roy Eldridge's "Little Jazz." Pete said he could play all Roy's solos.

Buddy, well, speaks for himself. Never treated fairly by the critics.

[Pete Neighbour]

Any chance of some more photographs?

[Lorenzo]

Gee, the only one missing from this photo is David Allyn which would have made a triumvirate of Italian-Americans in the Raeburn band.