Herewith, a sampling of power portraits from photographer Herman Leonard’s eye-popping exhibition at Manhattan’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, “In the Best Possible Light” (on view through February 14). Photographs: Herman Leonard

Billy Eckstine at the Royal Roost, New York City, 1948.

Duke Ellington, Paris, 1958.

Fats Navarro at the Royal Roost, New York City, 1948.

Frank Sinatra, New York City, 1956; print damaged in Hurricane Katrina, 2005.

Miles Davis, Montreux, Switzerland, 1991.

Louis Armstrong, Paris, 1960.

Billie Holiday, New York City, 1948.

Dexter Gordon with Kenny Clarke (at rear) at the Royal Roost, New York City, 1948.

(Vanity Fair)

I love.....this piece! The ever dapper and handsome Billy Eckstine can certainly give the likes of Cary Grant a run for their money. In my opinion, he was really underrated, but I'm sure he lives on in the heart of many. That's not meant to slight or undermine any of the other greats such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and of course Frank Sinatra. Billie Holiday is another of my favorites (as you can see from my blog page), she is truly a vision in this picture and did much to earn her nickname "Lady Day."