About
Cynthia Sesso   Photography Research/Archivist/Appraisals
   
Education  

University of Wisconsin - Madison B.S. Communication/Journalism
     
1984-1987   Ray Avery's Rare Records - Glendale, California
    Produced auction vinyl collectible catalog
     
1987-2002   Ray Avery's Jazz Archives - Los Angeles, California
    Record Archivist and Photo Assistant
   
  • produced auction catalogs of rare jazz records
  • consultant on record acquisitions
  • assistant to appraisals
  • managing and licensing photo archives
  • execute exhibits
  • collaboration on book "Stars of Jazz"
   
1995-Present  

CTSIMAGES

   
  • Independent Photo Research and Licensing Service for all major record companies
   
    • Universal Music Group
    • Verve Music Group
    • Sony-BMG - Savoy
    • EMI-Capitol-Blue Note
    • Uptown Records
    • Fantasy Records
    • Mosaic Records
    • Revenant Records
    • Concord Music Group
   
  • Photo research includes over 800 reissue compact disc projects including PBS and independent film and book publishing companies. Also service to European and Japanese record, magazine, and book companies.
   
  • Independent appraisal service of historic items pertaining to jazz - photographs, phonograph records, books, sheet music, holographic manuscripts, film and memorabilia from their earliest periods to the present time. Appraisals prepared for universities, libraries, insurance companies and private collections. Complete list available upon request.

    • Smithsonian Institution
    • University of California Los Angeles
    • California State University Long Beach
    • Los Angeles Jazz Institute
    • Eubie Blake Jazz Institute
    • Harry Warren Collection
    • Private Collections
    Representation includes

  • K. Abe
  • Jorgen Angel
  • Rolf Ambor
  • Ray Avery Photo Archives
  • Esther Bubley
  • Ross Burdick
  • Cecil Charles
  • Stanley Dance Photo Collection
  • Esmond Edwards
  • Marcel Fleiss
  • Burt Goldblatt Estate Archives
  • Roy Harte Jazz Archives
  • Paul Hoeffler
  • Ralph Jungheim
  • Herman Leonard Photo Archives
  • Fred Lyon
  • Jan Persson
  • Ave Pildas
  • Raymond Ross
  • Riccardo Schwamenthal
  • Herb Snitzer
  • Ted Williams
   
  • Curator of jazz photo exhibits - Catalina Bar & Grill, Hollywood, Steamers Cafe, Fullerton, Fullerton Museum, Monterey Jazz Festival, Biltmore Hotel L.A. Jazz Society Tribute to Quincy Jones, Portland Jazz Festival, A Studio Gallery, and The Jazz Bakery in Culver City.
   
  • Independent photo, record researcher, discographer and appraiser.

    • Collaborative book project / Manek Daver Jazz Graphics and The Rare and The Beautiful on record jacket design.
    • Photo research / Albert Ayler Holy Ghost, Revenant Records
    • Appraisal / Cab Calloway, Eubie Blake Jazz Institute & Cultural Museum
    • Discographer / The Complete Jazz At The Philharmonic 1944-1949, Verve Records
   
  • Professional Affiliations

    • ©GRAMMY Recording Academy
    • International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE)
    • Milt Hinton Award Committee (MHA)
    • Jazz Journalists Association (JJA)
    • International Association of Jazz Record Collectors (IAJRC)
    • Jazz Photography Association (JPA)
    • Charter Member of 4260 Black & White Photographers' Guild