[Tom Copi - Photographer]

Lee Ritenour Jazz Guitar Performance – 1980 Photograph by Tom Copi

Original 1980 black-and-white photograph of jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour performing, taken in San Francisco by noted photographer Tom Copi (1940–2015). Image size approximately 7.5 x 9.5 inches, matted to 10.75 x 13.5 inches. A striking, candid portrait capturing Ritenour mid-performance, conveying both technical intensity and musical joy—hallmarks of his early fusion era.

Condition
Fine photograph mounted under mat; not examined outside the mount. No visible flaws, fading, or surface marks. Matte and backing clean and stable with original tape edges intact. Photographer’s ink stamp on verso includes copyright and contact information.

Collector Note: Ritenour images are scarce; none matching this pose or session appear in online archives or image searches.

Lee Ritenour (b. 1952) emerged as one of the defining guitarists of the jazz fusion movement, collaborating with artists such as Herbie Hancock and Dave Grusin and contributing to over 3,000 recording sessions. His smooth, technically refined tone bridged jazz, rock, and R&B styles, influencing a generation of contemporary players.

Tom Copi was a leading American jazz photographer whose work appeared in DownBeat, Rolling Stone, and museum retrospectives. His 1960s–80s photographs of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and other luminaries are considered among the most expressive visual documents of modern jazz. His San Francisco studio became a hub for musicians and visual chroniclers of the era.

Subjects: Lee Ritenour, Tom Copi, Jazz Guitar, Fusion Era, 1980s Music, American Photographers, Photography, Jazz History, Music Performance.

Item #21231

Price: $95.00