Friends of the late jazz and fashion photographer William Claxton are gathering this evening at LACMA's Bing Theater to celebrate his life. Scheduled speakers include his wife, the actress and model Peggy Moffitt, as well as musician Bernie Taupin and publisher Benedikt Taschen. Burt Bachrach is expected to perform and there will be a screening of the 1968 short Claxton directed, "Basic Black," considered by some the "first fashion video." Claxton died in October one day shy of his 81st birthday. Here's his website, Taschen website, LAT obituary

Photo: Steve McQueen, Los Angeles 1962 by William Claxton at Fahey/Klein Gallery via Artnet.com