Description

Growing up in Upper Manhattan, close to Harlem, Dennis Stock was exposed to jazz at an early age. As a child, Stock would accompany his father to the famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, where prominent jazz musicians of the time such as Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie would perform. These experiences would prove to be formative, sparking an interest that he would later return to as a photographer.

I had a passion for jazz. I had listened and attended many jazz sessions from a child on. So I went out for three years and explored the world of musicians all across the United States and had a wonderful time. It was joyful. Just marvellous.

Dennis Stock
© Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos

Dennis Stock was born in 1928 in New York City. At the age of 17, he left home to join the United States Navy. In 1947, he became an apprentice to Life magazine photographer Gjon Mili and won first prize in Life’s Young Photographers contest.

He joined Magnum in 1951. Stock evoked the spirit of America through his memorable and iconic portraits of Hollywood stars, most notably James Dean. Other notable projects include his work on the jazz scene and on the California free-loving counterculture of the 1960’s. In the 1990s he went back to his urban origins, exploring the modern architecture of large cities and his later work was mostly focused on the abstraction of flowers.

Dennis Stock resided in Woodstock, New York, until his death in 2010.

© Dennis Stock | Magnum Photos

Get Magnum news and updates directly to your inbox

Stay in touch
Learn about online and offline exhibitions, photography fairs, gallery events, plus fine print news and activities, on a monthly basis.
Get fortnightly tips and advice articles, find out about the latest workshops, free online events and on-demand courses.
Stay up to date every Thursday with Magnum photographers’ activities, new work, stories published on the Magnum website, and the latest offerings from our shop.