Across Ameri ca, hundreds of artisans are keeping alive the age-old tradition of designing and hand-crafting fine musical instruments. Whether constructing folk instruments for backyard amateurs, saxophones for jazz bands, or violins for world-class orchestras, these talented craftspeople all share the inspirational ability to transform raw materials into acoustically sophisticated and visually stunning works of art. Combining time-honored tradition with state-of-the-art digital technology, Heart & Hands: Musical Instrument Makers of America celebrates the surprising richness of America's musical traditions.

Traveling coast to coast, in an extensive two-year journey across the United States, photographer Jake Jacobson recorded the images, words, and music of over 300 contemporary musical instrument makers. Documenting the diversity of American music, Jacobson's photographs reveal a complex, living tradition—a heritage that draws upon Latin, Native American, European, African, and Asian musical influences.

Employing the high-tech Iris printing process, Jake Jacobson has transferred his photographic portraits from 35mm transparencies to large sheets of textured, archival paper. This innovative, digital process brings out a vibrancy of color and texture that artfully complements the hand-crafted instruments depicted in these images.