Super sized and super scarce Miles Davis photo print portfolio published by TDK in Japan in 1977.
36 x 50 cm is the folder and print size. Folder has some wear to closure on the back. Prints are very good condition.
No photographer credited. Amazing story on the inside flap of the folder through as below, translated from Japanese;
Behind the Scenes
It was a cold, snowy day in New York on December 29th, 1976, as the year drew to a close. At Audio One Studios in Manhattan, the film crew was impatiently waiting for Miles Davis. More than an hour had passed since the scheduled time. "He's not coming after all," a sense of unease filled the studio.
We had considered featuring Miles in our advertisement for the new cassette AD back in January of that year. Our idea was that the AD's exceptional high-frequency characteristics could be expressed through Miles' trumpet playing. Everyone wondered if it would even be possible to persuade the "King of Jazz," who was difficult to contact and had been inactive for a year, to appear in a commercial. But we began our work.
At the end of August, we received a welcome reply from Miles.
"I'm interested in appearing in the commercial." We signed a formal contract in November. Up to this point, things had gone more smoothly than we had expected.
We were overjoyed. We had finally captured the legendary Miles. In December, just before the film crew was about to depart for the US with all preparations complete, we received a shocking telegram. "I'm not an actor. I can't act. I want to quit." Miles had been offended by the posing instructions we had sent him. A tense exchange ensued over the international phone. Finally, we were able to get his approval, on the condition that we would film him as he pleased. On December 22nd, the staff departed for the US. On December 24th, we met with producer Theo Macero to discuss the original song to be used in the commercial. That night, we received a call from Miles's lawyer. "I have been dismissed as of today. You will no longer be able to contact Miles through me." The situation was serious. "Let's do as much as we can," the staff resolved. On December 27th, the original song was edited down to 5 minutes. That day, in retrospect, it was a risky move, but the staff went directly to Miles's house for the final meeting. It was a bright, sunny day, but the house was pitch black. Miles's face was visible in the light of the television, which served as a ride hood. Everything was ready. All that remained was to wait for Miles to arrive on the day.
Miles entered the studio 1 hour and 15 minutes late. "He's here! It's the real Miles! Calm down, calm down!" the American staff murmured. Finally, we had captured the long-awaited Miles. From that day on, Miles appeared in television, magazine, and newspaper advertisements starting in March 1977, creating a huge sensation with the tagline, "Soaring high notes. AD." (Written by TDK Magnetic Tape Division)
Published by
Tokyo Electric Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
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