Home / Arts and Entertainment / From 'Kind of Blue' to Bowery: Jay Maisel's Legacy
From 'Kind of Blue' to Bowery: Jay Maisel's Legacy
11 Sep
Summary
- Photographer Jay Maisel died at 95.
- His photo of Miles Davis graced 'Kind of Blue' album.
- He owned and sold a historic Bowery bank building.
Renowned photographer Jay Maisel, celebrated for his mastery of light and shadow, died on August 20 at his Brooklyn home. He was 95. Maisel's iconic image of jazz musician Miles Davis, captured for the landmark 1959 album "Kind of Blue," remains his best-known work.
His diverse portfolio captured striking scenes, including coal miners deep underground and the Statue of Liberty shrouded in mist. Maisel, known for his charismatic personality and unique approach, emphasized the drama found in both light and darkness within his compositions.
Maisel also had a significant real estate transaction, purchasing an abandoned bank building on the Bowery in 1966 for $102,000. He later sold this historic property, which served as his studio and home, for $55 million nearly five decades later.
His career, which included assignments for major magazines and advertising agencies, also saw him publish several books. Maisel's profound influence on photography and his distinctive visual style continue to inspire.
