A neighborhood merchant's gift of three thoroughly used amateur cameras ignited Ralph's interest in photography at age 12. His mom and dad's Christmas gift of a "darkroom set" sent him on his way.
He expanded his interests in photography, writing and jazz by both interviewing and photographing Duke Ellington for his high school newspaper at age 15. Soon he was freelancing for Downbeat. There are 90 images in The Ralph Jungheim Collection to date - mostly from Chicago during the late 40s and early 50s. Subjects include Count Basie, Big Bill Broonzy, Nat King Cole, Wild Bill Davison, Bud Freeman, Slim Gaillard, Woody Herman, Art Hodes, Louis Jordan, Little Brother Montgomery, Les Paul, Pee Wee Russell, The original George Shearing Quintet, Jeri Southern, Joe Thomas, Lenny Tristano, and Sarah Vaughan. Sort of a kaleidoscopic view of jazz to be heard in Chicago at the time.
Ralph Jungheim's images since moving to Los Angeles in 1954 are not yet archived. He worked as an ad agency creative director and also produced 58 recordings, including two Grammy Award winners among seven nominations.
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