Book Works is a new graphic based brand from New York City founded by friends Martin Davis and Oskar Mann.

Martin and Oskar first met as neighbours living on the same block in New York. Quickly realising their shared love of music, specifically jazz - both musically and visually - they started sharing their favourite records and album art which over time turned into their graphic and vinyl imprint Book Works.

Below, Martin and Oskar answer our questions about the influences and background of Book Works...

Can you please talk a little about the importance and influence of Jazz on Book Works?

Martin: Both Oskar and I have a massive appreciation for Jazz music. From it's history to the art that it inspires, I think it's had a heavy influence on both of our lives and something we both found as a starting point when we began working together. We hope that Book Works evolves and continues to change on it's own, although Jazz helped inspire a lot of what we've done so far.

On the first release from the Book Works record label, you’ve worked with classmates from The New School University's Jazz Program and Manhattan School of Music. When did you start working with them?

Oskar: I started playing with Jansen (bass) and Max Tucker (drums) in 2005 while we were all attending The New School together. Jansen and I played in several bands together over the years and I heard Isaac (guitar) play in a group with Max and was blown away.

How did the Max B remix of jazz standard “Poincana” come about?

Oskar: Both Martin and myself (unbeknownst to the other) have had long standing friendships with Max and when we realised we both knew him we really wanted him to work with Book Works in some capacity. After we had decided on the recordings we sent the final tracks to Max and he chose 'Poinciana' to remix and we love what he produced.

What are your top 5 Jazz record covers of all time?

In no order...

Martin:

Oskar:

Do you have any favorite live Jazz performances, that changed the way you thought about music?

Martin: Charles Lloyd at the Barbican Center in London. One of the most powerful performances I have ever seen. I felt like I was in space listening to him play.  I was also very fortunate to have seen McCoy Tyner play in New York.

Oskar: Every masterclass I ever took with Barry Harris changed the way I thought about music! I was also fortunate enough to see Nina Simone play when I was quite young - I couldn't fully appreciate it at the time (I think I was 14) what an impact it made - but to this day I remember the overwhelming emotion that filled The Beacon Theatre. 

If you had to put together a quintet, who would you enlist, past or present?

Martin: 

Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet

John Coltrane - Saxophone

Johnny Hammond - Keys

Tony Williams - Drums

Ron Carter - Bass

Oskar:

The answer will change every day for me. Today, I might just want to recreate Freddie Hubbard's band from High Blues Pressure honestly. 

Photos from Book Works

Interview by Anthony Kwang