The Jazz Review / Château Cramirat Collection
What is the essence of true jazz? What constitutes its canon? The Jazz Review magazine (1958-1961) focused on answering these questions and trying the genre higher, to the level of appreciation enjoyed by classical music. It had one rule, except for the editors, only professional jazz musicians could write for it.
+
And so, the most innovative feature of this high-quality magazine was the reviews written by the era’s most respected jazz artists about historical pieces, early recordings, and other musicians’ work. Additionally, there was always a page dedicated to the blues, and coverage of the latest jazz writing worldwide.
+
Never short of opinionated judgment on performers and the politics behind the music industry, the publication often stirred controversy in jazz circles, claiming it lost sight of the essential factor in jazz – the fraternity of working musicians who made jazz music. These artists were the ones who pushed boundaries and freed up restrictions not only on musical compositions but also on social strata, breaking racial barriers despite having to endure Jim Crow laws (enforced until 1965).
+
The magazine’s co-editor, famous columnist and writer Nat Hentoff, said “Jazz is a life force… [the musicians] took risks every night… they were their own authority.”
+
As avid jazz fans, our Château Cramirat Collection holds the full run of this rare and important topical and historical magazine, which set an enduring standard for criticism despite its short run of only 22 monthly issues, and we also cherish its design aesthetics.
+
The Château Cramirat Collection is a treasure trove of art and design, by philosopher Anna Ravitzki and designer Dan Alexander, housed in a 12th-century Templar landmark in the Valley of Mankind, Périgord, France.
+
Hentoff, Nat, and Williams, Martin (editors). The Jazz Review. New York: Leonard Feldman, Israel Young, 1958-1961.
#ChateauCramiratCollection #DanAlexander #Design #Jazz
