Swordfishtrombones Cover-Photo, TinTone by Michael A. Russ
Fine Art Print on AluDiBond-Silver-ThyssenKrupp-Industrial, limited edition









Swurdfishtrombones - TinTone Sepia by Michael A. Russ
Fine Art Print on AluDiBond-Silver-ThyssenKrupp-Industrial, limited edition









Swordfishtrombones - Tom Waits Portrait, TinTone Blue by Michael A. Russ
Fine Art Print on AluDiBond-Silver-ThyssenKrupp-Industrial, limited edition

Swordfishtrombones Cover Art - authentic works that combine music, performing art, visual art and history

showed in the exhibition 'Art based on Photography'
May 11th - Nov 4th, 2012 at 'art place berlin'


Recorded at Hollywood's Sunset Sound in August 1982, and released by Island Records in 1983, 'Swordfishtrombones' was Tom Waits' first self-produced record. Since then, it is considered one of the most influential albums in modern music history. In Los Angeles early 1980's Michael A. Russ is an international artist displaying avant-guardistic positions in photography. So it is not by chance that Tom Waits liked his 'Prussian Blue' exhibition at the original China Club and commissioned him to create the cover of his Island label record 'Swordfishtrombones', in order to give Tom Waits' new musical input a fresh look.



'I found Michael to be both imaginative and innovative. His approach to photography is with the eyes of a painter working with light. He displays a unique talent in both style and content. Michael is an individual with both a vision and an ability to execute it.' - Tom Waits



Tom and Michael casted numerous actors for the cover shoot. Finally, he chose the Hollywood actors Lee Kolima a fellow of gigantic stature (? 1995) and Angelo Rossitto (1908 - 1991). With only 2' 11" Little Mo (also nicknamed the mayor of Hollywood) was small in stature but of high presence onscreen. The diminutive Angelo Rossitto was one of the busiest actors in Hollywood and has appeared in over 80 films. With the two actors alongside Tom Waits, Michael A. Russ created the legendary photo shoot for the cover of the groundbreaking music album 'Swordfishtrombones' in 1983.


Michael was also the associate director and choreographer on the music video to the song 'In the Neighbourhood' from that album for MTV. The video grew out of the album cover, it was centered around Lee Kolima and Angelo Rossitto. The cinematographer of the video was the famous Haskell Wexler. He is a multiple Oscar awardee and has worked on films like, 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?', 'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest', 'In the Heat of the Night', 'American Graffiti', 'Coming Home' and many more.



More information about Michael A. Russ you find on his website www.tintones.com >>