RAY FLERLAGE
82 year old Chicagoan Raeburn Flerlage is one of the very best photographers of
blues music in the world. He was shooting blues musicians in Chicago in the early 1960s and had the
advice and mentorship of Pete Welding (then his editor at "downbeat") to assist him
(see his obituary for Pete elsewhere in BW), but it was
his own unerring eye that has produced his body of quality work.
I am extremely pleased to announce that Ray Flerlage has a book of photo's coming out in April of 2000. More information can be found by clicking here
Mr. Flerlage's photos have graced such books as Charles Keil's "Urban Blues," Robert
Palmer's "Deep Blues," Paul Trynka's "Portrait of the Blues" and Charles Cowdery's "Blues Legends."
Mr. Flerlage's photos are used for album covers by Chess, MCA and the
Smithsonian and have appeared frequently in "downbeat" magazine.
They are prominent in the new Sandra Tooze Muddy bio, and were used in the documentary film "Record Row" about S Michigan ave, Chess, VJ, etc.
BLUES WORLD is honored to present
this selection of Ray Flerlage photos for your enjoyment.
BB King, Big Joe Williams, John Coltrane One, John Coltrane Two
Dizzy Gillespie, Furry Lewis' hands, Muddy Waters and James Cotton, Muddy Waters
Memphis Slim's hands, Howlin' Wolf One, Howlin' Wolf Two
Click the thumbnail to see the picture or click the blue square to see the photoghraphs in sequence.
(All photos copyright Ray Flerlage, not to be used or reproduced without express written permission!)