SMITH, Bessie.

Description

Florence: Jazz di ieri e di oggi numero 10 — December 1959

Original December 1959 issue of Italian jazz monthly Jazz di ieri e di oggi with American blues singer Bessie Smith (1894—1937) on the front cover. In this issue: Microsolco U.S.A. (pp. 5-6); Jazz all radio (p. 7); Libri Jazz (pp. 7-8); Presente e futuro del Jazz by Romano Del Forno (pp. 9-14); Bessie Smith by George Avakian (pp. 15-18); 10 Blues di Bessie Smith (pp. 19-41); Jazz in bianco e nero by William Donati (pp. 42-44); Segnaliamo questi dischi by Alfredo Luciano Catalani (pp. 45-47); Jazz Americana (p. 48); Jazz in Italia: Appunti su una crsi by Carlo Peroni (p. 49); Corriere Italiano (p. 50); News from England by Brian Harvey (pp. 51-53). Jazz di ieri e di oggi (trans.: “Jazz of yesterday and today”) was the Florentine answer to Italian’s premiere jazz magazine at the time, Musica Jazz, published in Milan since 1955. Founded and published by Alfredo Luciano Catalani, the first member of the Hot Club of Florence, the first issue, a double issue, was issued in February 1959. Editor-in-chief was the passionate journalist and photographer Francesco Cecco Maino, perhaps best known for his early connection to Chet Baker. International correspondents for the publication included Nestor Ortiz Oderigo (Argentina); Frank Tenot (France); Joachim-Ernst Berendt (Germany); and William Donati (Hollywood); Felix Manskleid and Dan Morgenstern (New York); Anthony Palmisano (New Orleans). Regretfully, the magazine was a shortlived affair. It ceased publication by the end of 1960 with a special photo edition. Jazz di ieri e di oggi was a large size magazine and arguably the most beautifully executed jazz publication ever published. Graphically, it was a work of art, featuring exquisite layout. It had a special charm and was often delicately printed on different colors of paper. The printing process must have been extremely expensive, and may explain the short lived history of the publication.

23.5 x 27.9 cm, 54 pp. Trimmed cardboard wrapper, staple bound. All text in Italian. Very light wear to spine and extremities, else in near excellent condition, tightly bound and clean. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the magazine available on request.