1948 San Hasselgard & Max Roach Three Deuces Original Popsie TYPE I Photo

Stan Hasselgardwasn't your average clarinetist. Born Ake Hasselgard in Bollnas, Sweden, he got his first clarinet as a 16th birthday gift, a spark that quickly turned into an obsession. By 19, he was already playing with the Royal Swingers while studying at the University of Uppsala. His technique was rooted in swing, shaped by the one and only Benny Goodman. But Hasselgard had a restless ear, one that veered toward the edge of innovation. He found himself drawn to bebop-a sound few thought possible on a clarinet.By the mid-'40s, Hasselgard was a fixture in Swedish jazz, appearing on records with the Royal Swingers and bassist Simon Brehm's sextet. In 1947, he landed in New York City, a place he'd only dreamed of. One of his first stops? Sitting in with trombone legend Jack Teagarden at The Famous Door on 52nd Street.In 1948, Hasselgard got the chance to record with his idol, Benny Goodman, joining a septet that included saxophonist Wardell Gray and pianist Mary Lou Williams. It wasn't long before he put together his own small-group recordings with American musicians, headlining at the Three Deuces with a quintet featuring Max Roach on drums. On opening night, he was hailed as "the Bebop King of Sweden," a title he earned among an audience that included bebop royalty-Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.But his story was cut short. On November 18, 1948, Hasselgard recorded his final session. Just weeks later, on a road in Decatur, Illinois, he was killed in a car accident at the age of 26, leaving behind a legacy as one of the first to bring bebop to the clarinet and a promise of what might have beenOffered is an original 8" x 10" TYPE I photograph of StanHasselgard at the 3 Deuces Night Club recording session that was shot six weeks before his death.Left to Right are: Clyde Lombardi on bass, Max Roach on drums (he is considered a pioneer in bebop and one of the most important drummers in history - he played with everyone),Stan Hasselgard on clarinet, Chuck Wayne on guitar (member of Wood Herman's band and Tony Bennett's music director and accompanist), and Gene DiNovi on piano (played with Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Buddy Rich, Lester young, and Tony Bennett).This original print derived from Popsie's personal archive and stamped on back with his iconic stamp that he used in the 1940s/50s. ORIGINAL photos of Jazz musicians are rarely seen, as opposed to promotional photos put out by the record companies.About photographer, William "Popsie" Randolph -William "Popsie" Randolph was a legendary photographer who captured the heart of mid-20th-century jazz and entertainment. Born in New York City in 1920, Randolph started in the Benny Goodman Orchestra before finding his calling behind the camera. From the 1940s to the 1980s, his lens documented the icons of jazz, Broadway, and pop, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley.Randolph's work stands out for its intimacy, capturing both the glamour and raw, unguarded moments of his subjects. Sought after by artists and labels like Columbia Records and RCA, his images graced album covers, newspapers, and magazines, making him a hidden yet influential force in music photography. Though he passed away in 1978, Randolph's photos remain a vital record of American music culture, inspiring generations of musicians and photographers.