Steve Swallow playing bass (Original photograph)

N.p.: N.p., 1960. Original single weight, black and white photograph of jazz bassist and composer Steve Swallow by photographer Michael Montfort, apparently unpublished, with Montfort's copyright stamp and the label of German magazine "Jazz im Bild" on the verso. From the photographer's estate.

Born in Freiburg, Germany, Michael Montfort began his career working as a photojournalist for German magazines such as "Stern," "Quick," and "Bild am Sonntag." In addition to shooting numerous rock and jazz performances, he covered Queen Elizabeth's 1965 visit to Germany, the aftermath of the Six Day War in Israel and Egypt, and the May 1968 protests in Paris. Montfort emigrated to Los Angeles in 1973 and began working as a freelancer. Four years later, on assignment for the German literary magazine "Rogners," Montfort was sent to photograph Charles Bukowski. Aided by the case of wine he smartly brought with him to their first meeting, Montfort connected with the publicity-shy and splenetic poet. Over the next two decades, as both Bukowski's drinking buddy and personal photographer, he shot literary thousands of images of Bukowski and collaborated with him on titles such as "Horsemeat," "Shakespeare Never Did This," and "The Wedding." In addition to Bukowski, Montfort shot notable photographs of luminaries such as William S. Burroughs, Klaus Kinski, Brigitte Bardot, and a Jackson 5 era Michael Jackson.

9.5 x 7 inches, with half inch borders to the left and right of the image. About Fine.