In 1967, a black-and-white photograph shot by the Italian Giuseppe Pino was used to advertise the first edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival. After more than forty years, a photographer has again been given a free hand to create the poster. For the 46th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival, renowned photographer Greg Gorman, who was born in Kansas City in 1949, presents a male nude reminiscent of a classical sculpture in motion. The poster focuses on the contemplative experience of listening to music, says Gorman.

Greg Gorman has published nine books, photographed hundreds of motion picture and high-profile advertising campaigns. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Gorman has photographed countless musicians, including, among many others, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Frank Zappa, Grace Jones, Elton John, George Clinton, Boy George, Tom Waits, Billy Idol, Leon Russell, Nina Hagen, Fleetwood Mac, Morrissey, Iggy Pop, Vanilla Ice, P. Diddy, RuPaul, Divine, Bette Midler, John Lee Hooker, David Bowie and Quincy Jones, Joan Jett, John Mayer, Melissa Etheridge, Debbie Harry, Crosby, Stills and Nash and Joe Cocker.

Three questions to Greg Gorman

You discovered your photographic vocation thanks to music.
That’s right. As a ‘hippie’ in 1968, I borrowed a camera to photograph Jimi Hendrix in concert. The following morning, I processed the film in a friend’s darkroom and when I saw the image coming up in the developer I was hooked. A few weeks later, the camera was in use again at a concert of another of my idols, Jim Morrison.

Tell us more about the connection between the nude and the music.
The model’s pose should suggest movement, as he is turning his head as if he had heard something and wants to hold onto it-a fleeting moment. It is perhaps a voice, a noise or sound. The sand dune in the background also plays an important role. The sheer height and depth of the dune evokes a sense of emptiness and in its simplicity presents a stage for contemplation, a central experience when listening to music. The open background also provides literal space for the viewer’s own interpretation. The subject is placed in a non cluttered open environment.

In 46 years of poster history, this is only the second time that photography has been used.
The visual arts, from an illustrative point of view, are less confrontational than photography. I believe that the decision to allow me to present a nude was a very courageous one, because nudity in photography is real and very direct. To offer a photographer carte blanche once again after so many years clearly illustrates the readiness of the festival to try out new things, to take risks and to surprise people.

Visit Greg Gorman's official website: www.gormanphotography.com

Montreux Jazz Shop

Discover the different articles of the 46th Montreux Jazz Festival! Now available on our online shop the 2012 collection including:

2012 poster
Official T-shirt
Moleskine
Keyring

More articles to be available soon on www.montreuxjazzshop.com