Rudee (M. Lea) San Diego Jazz Photographs, 1981-1991

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Summary

Title:
M. Lea Rudee San Diego Jazz Photographs
Dates:
1981-1991
Abstract:
A collection of twenty-four black and white photographs (1981-1991) taken of jazz performers in concert in San Diego by M. Lea Rudee.
Extent:
2 Linear feet (24 matted photographs in one flat box)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

M. Lea Rudee San Diego Jazz Photographs, MSS 71. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

Background

Scope and content:

These photographs were all taken during live performances of jazz in San Diego. A few were taken in night clubs. Most were taken at performances of either the San Diego Jazz Festival, when I served on its board of directors, or the Jazz Society of Lower Southern California. This latter organization held private performances in members' homes or other private venues and organized fund raising events to provide scholarships for the jazz program in the UCSD Music Department. Unfortunately, both organizations are now dormant. The performers in these photographs include both local and visiting artists.

Photography and jazz have some artistic elements in common. Of all musical forms, jazz places the highest emphasis on instantaneous, intuitive improvisation by the performer within a predetermined musical context. Photographs can be "made" in highly controlled circumstances, e.g. an advertising shoot, or the self-portraits by Cindy Sherman. In another form, the photographer "takes" a picture by instantaneously arranging images within the viewfinder, accepting what is seen rather than directing. Henri Cartier-Bresson, the great master of this latter form of photography, described the camera used in this manner as "an instrument of intuition," a term that could just as well apply to the jazz soloist.

-- M. Lea Rudee

Acquisition information:
Acquired 1994.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Special Collections Archives, UC San Diego
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-12-09 16:33:26 -0800 .

Access and use

Terms of access:

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

Preferred citation:

M. Lea Rudee San Diego Jazz Photographs, MSS 71. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

Location of this collection:
9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0175
La Jolla, CA 92093-0175, US
Contact:
(858) 534-2533
spcoll@ucsd.edu
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