Jazz and Blues Musician Portraits

Picto New York is proud to present A Wonderful World, an exhibition of intimate portraits of legendary jazz and blues musicians by Richard Corman. Each image captures not only a likeness, but a presence, a story and the deep humanity behind the music.

Accompanied by live piano performances, the exhibition invites visitors into a warm, immersive experience where photography and music come together in celebration of these extraordinary artists.

All of the images in this exhibition were made possible by the Jazz Foundation of America, which provides housing, healthcare, and financial support to musicians facing urgent challenges.

“For the past ten years, I have had the honor of looking into the eyes of these extraordinary musicians and sharing their best truths. I will be forever grateful.” —Richard Corman, 2026

ABOUT RICHARD CORMAN

Richard Corman’s photography is rooted in a deep engagement with the human spirit. Across a wide range of subjects, his work reflects a lasting commitment to presence, character, and emotional truth. As Ken Burns has observed, Corman’s images express an artistic vision dedicated to the highest aspirations of human endeavor, revealing larger truths in both intimate and monumental moments.

Renowned for his portraits, Corman has photographed an extraordinary range of cultural figures, from Nelson Mandela and Elie Wiesel to Robert De Niro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Meryl Streep. His work is marked not only by access to celebrated individuals, but by an instinct for emerging talent, with early collaborations featuring Madonna, Jean Michel Basquiat, and Keith Haring before their global recognition.

His portraits of athletes such as Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali reveal inner strength beyond physical achievement, while his work with musicians, writers, and dancers is defined by an uncommon intimacy. Corman’s ability to build trust allows his subjects to be seen not as icons, but as fully present individuals.

Beyond the arts, his long collaboration with the Special Olympics stands as one of the most meaningful chapters of his career, affirming dignity, joy, and resilience. He has also contributed to projects with organizations including the Jazz Foundation of America, Amnesty International, and the Michael J Fox Foundation.

A native New Yorker, Corman holds a degree in Psychology from Hunter College and apprenticed with Richard Avedon on In the American West. That experience continues to shape his work, grounded in empathy, observation, and a relentless pursuit of truth.