The images in this book were made by John E. Kuhlman who was a professional photographer working in New Orleans from 1948 till the late 1970s. In that respect Kuhlman's work is not extraordinary. His career parallels local contemporaries like Fulcran Randon, who was also his mentor, and Russell Cresson — capable photographers whose staple work was weddings, graduations, school pictures, and family portraits. Yet John Kuhlman left an extraordinary photographic legacy apart from his daily fare — namely the photographs in this book which document the mid-20th century new orleans jazz and music scene.

Through the preservation efforts of his daughter Susan Morris, Kuhlman's photographs have been scanned and toned and are gathered here for the first time in a comprehensive collection. These images are from a time passed. A recording session at artisan hall, the long ago demolished benevolent society hall, featuring both the george lewis and Freddie Kohlman bands. Johnny St. Cyr and jeanette kimball performing at Joe Mares' home recording studio in the French Quarter. In a remarkable overhead view, Kuhlman reveals the Onward Brass Band marching down the neutral ground of pre-interstate, tree-lined north Claiborne Avenue. Legendary clarinet players Alphonse Picou and George Lewis are seen playing segregated Bourbon Street bars they could not otherwise patronize. On the other side of town, we see young George Girard and Pete Fountain holding down the bandstand at Lenfant's on Canal Boulevard with the Basin Street Six.

Visiting musicians, from Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars to Duke Ellington to piano maestro Liberace, are seen in performance and backstage. And in keeping with his staple work as a wedding photographer, Kuhlman's pictures of country music legend Hank Williams' New Orleans wedding round out this remarkable collection.