Today marks the centenary of the birth of photographer Herman Leonard (March 6, 1923; d. 2010.) Leonard gained a BFA degree in photography in 1947 from Ohio University, although his college career was interrupted by a tour of duty in the United States Army during World War II. After graduation, he apprenticed with Yousuf Karsh for one year assisting for sitters such as Albert Einstein, Harry Truman, and Martha Graham.

In 1948, Leonard opened his first studio in New York’s Greenwich Village. Working freelance for various magazines, he spent his evenings at the Royal Roost and then Birdland, where he photographed jazz musicians such as Dexter Gordon, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and others. Read more (Wikipedia).