David Stone Martin

American designer and illustrator. Born David Livingstone Martin on June 13, 1913, in Chicago; died March 6, 1992, in New London, Connecticut. An influential visual artist known for his illustrations on jazz record albums. Responsible for more than 500 record covers during his career, many of them on Norman Granz-related releases. During World War II, Martin was an art director for the U.S. Office of War Information. Began work as a jazz album illustrator in 1944, for Moses Asch, creating the cover for a Mary Lou Williams release. After that, he was appointed by Asch as art director of his labels Asch Recordings, Stinson Records and Disc Records. Also did work for Mercury and Dial Records (3). Was hired by Norman Granz in 1948 for his Clef Records, Norgran Records, and later Verve Records labels. Drew the Norman Granz Presents Jazz At The Philharmonic trademark "trumpeter" illustration. His studio was in Roosevelt, New Jersey.