Baker photographer dies

Would CHET BAKER have been famous without WILLIAM CLAXTON?
Probably, but I doubt Baker's image would carry as much cultural resonance were it not for the Pasadena, Calif., photographer.
Claxton died this weekend age 80, of congestive heart failure.
Claxton photographed many jazz musicians and film stars during a career that included work as a fashion photographer. One of our books, Lee Tanner's "THE JAZZ IMAGE: MASTERS OF JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY," includes a wonderful Claxton shot of Mel Tormé really belting out a song in a 1963 Hollywood recording session.
However, Claxton seems inextricably linked with his iconic photographs of Baker.
Claxton once explained how Baker's image emerged as a revelation:
"I was up all night developing when the face appeared in the developing tray. A tough demeanor and a good physique but an angelic face with pale white skin and, the craziest thing, one tooth missing -- he'd been in a fight. I thought, my God, that's Chet Baker."
Claxton also took some wonderful shots of Steve McQueen, among others. He will be missed.
(You can check out more of Claxton's work by clicking here.)