William Claxton has been photographing since the 50s. He was driven not just to snap the artists but to get close to the atmosphere itself. The stunning intensity of his work captures the feeling of an entire era — from the streets of New Orleans to the legendary jazz clubs of New York City. His shots have become icons of their time — and not just for jazz fans. In this, the most comprehensive publication of his work to date, Claxton himself tells the story of how his legendary pictures arose.