Photographer presents a new sort of jazz

NEW YORK, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Carol Friedman has photographed and designed hundreds of jazz, soul and classical music CD covers through the years.

But her newest book and CD project, "Nicky the Jazz Cat," is aimed at the younger set.

"Nicky" tells how a curious jazz kitten becomes a friend of great jazz legends and an acclaimed jazz cat. Friedman's book, due in stores Dec. 15, is illustrated with photographs of Nicky and the jazz artists the author has worked with over the years.

A companion CD, "Nicky's Jazz for Kids," is due for Nov. 1 release. It includes original master recordings by Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Peggy Lee, Louis Prima and Fats Waller.