Vintage Jazz Era Portrait of a Legendary Bandleader

This photograph features Ted Lewis, a prominent American jazz musician and bandleader, captured between 1915 and 1920. Known for his unique style and remarkable talent, Lewis became a significant figure in the jazz scene during the early 20th century. His work helped to popularize jazz music across the United States, particularly with the distinct sounds of his clarinet and his lively performances.

The image was created using a glass negative, a common photographic technique of the time, reflecting the early methods of capturing moments for news and archive purposes. The Bain News Service, responsible for this photograph, played a crucial role in documenting the cultural landscape during this era, providing insight into the lives of musicians, actors, and other notable figures. Ted Lewis’s contributions to music during this time are significant, illustrating the evolution of jazz from its roots to a widely embraced art form.