One of my friends is a graphic designer and he’s passionate about LP cover art. We compiled what we thought the best Blue Note album covers are (only the Reid Miles years), and we noticed that 3 names were represented more than anyone else. The names are Hank Mobley, Grant Green and Lee Morgan. We had differing opinions about other things, but those 3 names kept showing up on our lists.
Reid Miles and Francis Wolff did great work together, but something about their Mobley, Green and Morgan covers just stands out. You can feel the atmosphere with them. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s more apparent with their covers than anyone else.
Here is a slideshow of 60 Blue Note covers that I think are some of the best. It was hard to round it out, trust me. The list started out at 300.
Born on this day: Donald Byrd. Behind him in this picture is Herbie Hancock.
Photo by Francis Wolf
Paul Chambers outside of Rudy Van Gelder’s home and studio, Hackensack NJ, September 21, 1956 (photo by Francis Wolff)
Some Reid Miles album artwork and Francis Wolff photos from various Blue Note photo books.
Born on this day: Wynton Kelly
He’s pictured here with bassist Gene Ramey.
Photo by Francis Wolff via Morrison Hotel Gallery
