Jazz

February 6, 1983 in Chicago. This was an assignment for the Reader in Chicago. Miles walked out on stage, took off his jacket, and immediately turned his back to the audience. I was kneeling on the hardwood floor in front of the stage between two tables, getting in the way of the wait staff. But I decided that I would stay in place until he turned around, and then get out of the way. WELL…. he played for about two hours and never turned around!! Finally, at the end of the set, he picked up his jacket, turned around with a small wave to the audience and left the stage. I took one photograph- one of the best that I have ever taken.

August 31st, 2019 in Chicago. The new face of jazz vocalists performs at the Chicago Jazz Festival. The lighting there is usually pretty bad, so I always try to shoot into the lights to create some drama.

January 21st, 1988 in Hollywood, Florida. Mister snappy dresser posed before a group photo shoot for Sting’s world tour that was starting the next day.

September 15th, 1978, in Chicago. this photograph was taken during a rehearsal for the PBS series “Soundstage” being taped the next day at the WTTW studios in Chicago. I was wandering around taking photographs of the band when I stepped up on stage and saw the inside of the piano and knew it would make a great photograph. It did!!

October 2nd, 2000 in Chicago. Cuban born saxaphonist David Sanchez was brought to my studio for a shoot to accompany a feature on his rise to the top of the jazz world.

September 15th, 1978, in Chicago. This photograph was taken during a taping of the PBS series “Soundstage” at the WTTW studios in Chicago. Ella sang with the Count Basie Band along with many other luminaries who sat in for an amazing show.

September 5th, 2003, in Chicago. This photograph was taken during a shoot for a Downbeat Magazine cover. We borrowed a private room in the venue (Symphony Center) where the band was playing that night. A perfect setting.

September 15th, 1984 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. I was tipped off by the publicist that the robots from Herbie’s video were going to perform later in the show. Worth the wait!!!

October 2nd, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Norah Jones at the Farm Aid 25th Anniversary Concert at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The piano was placed in such a way that there was only one place to shoot from for 50 photographers to get a shot. So I took a couple of photographs and then ushered 10 photographers at a time into the spot for about a minute each so that they all could get a shot. A lot of happy photographers as she was the only woman performer in a 12 hour concert!

March 21st, 2001 in Chicago. This photograph was taken for a Downbeat Magazine cover. There was only one place in the venue that looked good for a photograph, so we got in my car and started driving. We got to the bridge- looked at each other and said- “This is the place.”

June 21st, 1988 in Chicago. Jaco was playing with Weather Report at the time. I had heard of him but didn’t know much about him. I knew enough about him to know that he was important.

April 25th, 1985 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In between sets at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, I was brought backstage by a Columbia Records publicist and pushed into a room. Standing there was Miles Davis. He looked at me and said “You wouldn’t even be here if Wynton wasn’t here. Before I had a chance to respond, the door opened and Wynton Marsalis was escorted in. I was told to start shooting and not to stop until the door opened! As far as I know this is the only time these two men were photographed together. This was taken backstage at the Louis Armstrong Theater.

June 22nd, 1981 in Chicago. Legendary bass player Ron Carter performing a concert in Chicago. I always try to wait for interesting and dramatic lighting. This is a perfect example.

August 14th, 1980 in Chicago. Sometimes the best lighting is when there isn’t much of it! This was taken at the jazz stage at Chicagofest, a festival with eight stages and not enough of a budget to supply each stage with proper lights. So they had to make do. Made for spectacular lighting and one of my favorite photographs.