From the Boss to The Stones, to getting my Third Mind completely blown, 2024 for this photographer, was, if not a feast of a year, then at least one helluva satisfying meal. Whereas most years I’ll look back and find a potent theme, a common thread of deeper meaning, this year has been a happy just to be anywhere kind of year. Yes, the world feels on a precipice. Yes, I’m approaching my Medicare year and the absurdity of that has my inner child cracking up (or heckling). What doesn’t change is the satisfaction of being in the pit, or on stage, or working with an artist, or just having a seat without the gear and taking in the tonic, the dominant, the minor, and every note and microtone above and around it all, whatever is in us humans that drives us to create and the ability to express it. Life itself is the ultimate creative act, as Rick Rubin describes in his chart-topping best seller from last year. And visually bearing witness to those sounds will never get old, even if I do. So much for not going deep. Oh, well.

A surprise start to the new year was the Jim Irsay Collection at the Shrine Auditorium, scene of busting my Grateful Dead cherry 49 years ago (and I’ve probably been in the place twice since then). The Collection and ensuing occasional tours are a give back from the music obsessed billionaire and free to all. This edition featured blues legend Buddy Guy (and damn right, Buddy’s still got the blues, at 88), Kenny Wayne Shephard, Peter Wolf of J. Geils fame, Mike Mills of REM, Billy Gibbons, Ann Wilson of Heart, Kevin Cronin of REO and a crack band that included Kenny Aronoff on drums. Bonus points for throwing down chairs for the photographers in front of the stage (no pit). That was a first.

 

Damn right Buddy Guy’s still got the blues, Jim Irsay Collection, January 11, 2024, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California.

 

Mike Mills of R.E.M. brought Superman into house with the Jim Irsay Collection, January 11, 2024, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California.

 

Kenny Wayne Shephard and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons make some serious eye contact, Jim Irsay Collection, January 11, 2024, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California.

As elaborated on these pages, my Third Mind was officially blown when Dave Alvin and his band that jams, hit the Troubadour in February. A show that ended up on the forthcoming “Live Mind”, to be released in March (with my shots on the vinyl sleeves). And on a very stormy Grammy night, Just Jazz honored original Headhunter Bennie Maupin who continues to mentor the next generation of groundbreakers well into his 80s.

 

Dave Alvin, Mark Karan and Jesse Sykes of The Third Mind, February 2, 2024, The Troubadour, West Hollywood, California.

 

Dave Alvin goes deep, with Willie Aron looking on The Third Mind’s performance, February 2, 2024, The Troubadour, West Hollywood, California.

 

The Third Mind, February 2, 2024, The Troubadour, West Hollywood, California.

 

Jazz trailblazer Bennie Maupin, continues to mentor the latest generation of musicians, Just Jazz Foundation Grammy Party, February 4, 2024, Strada, Los Angeles, California.

First there was the Wrecking Crew, then there was a collection of session players who appeared on many of the defining records and artists of the 70s. Affectionately known as “The Section”, it was impossible to turn on a radio (remember those?) without hearing the rhythm section of Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkel, or Danny Kortchmar and Waddy Wachtel’s guitars. Flash forward a few decades, and these guys are still at the top of their game, having come together as “Immediate Family” (and the subject of a pretty acclaimed music doc of the same name). So, their February stop at the cozy confines of The Mint would ‘ve been special enough, but when Elliott Easton of The Cars sat in and several of that band’s hits ensued, it makes the list, for sure. February closed with the funky strutting of the OG Dirty Dozen Brass Band to kick some serious brass in the same room.

 

Leland Sklar has recorded on over 2,000 albums and is a master of the instrument, with The Immediate Family, February 13, 2024, The Mint, Los Angeles, California.

 

Veteran guitarist (and writer of many huge tunes you didn’t know were his) Danny Kortchmar, The Immediate Family, February 13, 2024, The Mint, Los Angeles, California.

 

Cars guitarist Elliot Easton with The Immediate Family, February 13, 2024, The Mint, Los Angeles, California.

 

Gregory Davis of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, February 12, 2024, The Mint, Los Angeles, California.

 

Sousaphonist Kirk Joseph of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, February 12, 2024, The Mint, Los Angeles, California.

March brought some meaningful moments in expected and unexpected places. The gospel of Thee Holy Brothers, AKA Lone Justice Founding member Marvin Etzioni and my pal, the five-tooled Willie Aron, reminding us of “The Holy in Everything” as part of Susan Hayden’s 15-year running Library Girl at the Ruskin Theater. Bluesmen Celso Salim and Daryll Carriere record release night at The Mint. The Santa Monica School District’s 73rd “Stairway to the Stars” featuring over 800 kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school music students. And, to top it all off, the formidable fountain of 4-string youth of Stanley Clarke and his next gen N4Ever ensemble at the intimate Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Even better was telling the man how the electric RTF debut with Al DiMeola at The Troubadour cracked my head open in 1974. And, yes, he remembered the gig. 

 

Thee Holy Brothers Marvin Etzioni and Willie Aron praising the holy in everything at Susan Hayden’s Library Girl, March 10, 2024, Ruskin Theater, Santa Monica, California.

 

Stairway to the Stars at Santa Monica High School, March 16, 2024, Santa Monica, California

 

Darryl Carriere blowing way more than smoke with guitarist Celso Salim for their record release “About Time”, March 20, 2024, The Mint, Los Angeles, California.                                                                                                                                       

Stanley Clarke leading his N4Ever ensemble at The Broad Stage, March 30, 2024, Santa Monica, California.

 

April means Jazz Fest, and throttling up on the around the corner Summer season. But, first, the Boss was back for three nights at the KIA Forum (rescheduled from December 2023) and shook the place from the rafters to the floor for 3 ½ hours. First time covering Bruce, and a real highpoint of this, or any, year as I look back.

 

Bruuuuce and the [insert a dozen superlative adjectives and an enthusiastic f-bomb here] E Street Band, April 4, 2024, KIA Forum, Inglewood, California.

 

Bruce squares off with Jake Clemons and Mighty Max Weinberg, April 4, 2024, KIA Forum, Inglewood, California.

 

Bruce and Steve Van Zandt front and center, with Max Weinberg and Anthony Almonte, April 4, 2024, KIA Forum, Inglewood, California.

On the seventh day of Jazz Fest, nobody rested. And they sure as hell didn’t on the eighth. Quint finally got his white whale and landed Mick and the boys, birthing a standalone day to replace what would usually be a locals leaning Thursday (moved to the first weekend, hence the eight days of Fest) often topped with a jam band headliner. What could’ve been a total cluster (half day of all stages, sales capped at 40K, hefty prices) turned into one of the more joyous Fest experiences ever. Everyone thrown together in the wayback machine, the band in the raw, Irma and Mick, Dumpsta furiously warming up the stage. The seven other days were pure Jazz Fest gumbo, New Orleans groove, jazz, blues, world, gospel, brass, feathers and rock. You, know, Jazz Fest. That said, covering the musical and physical expanse of the Fair Grounds is not for the faint of heart and gets a bit more challenging as the years add up.

 

Drummer Eddie Christmas of the New Orleans Suspects makes a point to the photographer, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 25, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Drummer Jonathan Blake with the Kenny Barron Trio in the WWOZ Jazz Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 25, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Leyla McCalla, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 26, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

“The Mississippi Bluesman”, Mr. Sipp, gets up close to the Blues Tent crowd, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 26, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana…

 

…and the crowd rises to the occasion, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 26, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

The Revivalists’ David Shaw offers a hand, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 26, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Jon Batiste seen here with guitarist Brandon “Taz” Neiderauer played a jaw dropping set at the Gentilly Stage, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 26, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Charles Lloyd in the WWOZ Jazz Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 27, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 28, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Shamarr Allen performing with Louis Armstrong Camp Celebrating 30, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 28, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Mick and the Stones finally landed at Jazz Fest for an absolutely joyous day at the Fair Grounds, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 2, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Mick Jagger and Irma Thomas sharing the stage for Irma’s “Time Is On My Side” was an historic moment, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 2, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

The Stones’ Ronnie Wood playing to the crowd, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 2, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, Mick Jagger, The Stones’ Ronnie Wood playing to the crowd, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 2, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Anders Osborne and bassist Jimmy Earl, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 3, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Terence Blanchard performing in the WWOZ Jazz Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 3, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Cristone “Kingfish” Ingram in the Blues Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 3, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Preservation Brass, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 4, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Buffett friends and family leading the jazz funeral for Jimmy Buffett, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 4, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

One of the many social aid and pleasure clubs during the Jimmy Buffett jazz funeral, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 4, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

One of the many social aid and pleasure clubs during the Jimmy Buffet jazz funeral, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 4, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Rhiannon Giddens in the Blues Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 4, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

Jake Shimabukuro, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 5, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews with guitarist Pete Murano during their Jazz Fest closing set, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, May 5, 2024, New Orleans, Louisiana.

June was a shit ton o’fun. The pairing of Tedeschi Trucks with Little Feat at the Greek kicked it off. Definitely a twofer to remember with a surprise Zep twist in the TTB set. The Father’s Day weekend tradition of the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival (previously Playboy Jazz, and typically a closed shoot, except for a house photographer), hosted the Jazz Village Experience. LeRoy Downs of Just Jazz was spinning and the whole Just Jazz team represented, including exhibiting a collection of my work from the years of covering the Just Jazz concert series. That I would be back at the iconic Bowl a few weeks later for a last-minute shoot with Grace Potter before her opening two sold out Chris Stapleton dates at the Bowl was a blast. Grace wanted to shoot with the band and her vintage (err, 80s) AMC Eagle, a theme mirrored by the laminate for her Mother Road tour. She knew what she was going for and we made it happen. A few days later, she packed the Troubadour, and Grace and her band were nothing but super kind to me for all of it.

 

Fred Tackett and drummer Tony Leone with Little Feat, June 7, 2024, Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California.

 

Kenny Gradney and Sam Clayton with Little Feat, June 7, 2024, Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California.

 

Susan Tedeschi has eyes for Derek Trucks, June 7, 2024, Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California.

 

Grace Potter and the band were ready to hit the mother road, pre-show shoot, June 27, 2024, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California.

 

Grace Potter, June 27, 2024, at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California…

 

…and at the 250 capacity Troubadour, June 29, 2024, West Hollywood, California.

 

The photographer at the Jazz Village, Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival, June 15, 2024, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California.

 

By July, festival season was in high gear, and for me, that means a return to Fort Adams State Park for the Newport Folk and Newport Jazz Festivals that I’ve been fortunate to cover for almost 10 years. At the Fort, I’m a West Coast photographer in a sea of East Coasters that welcome me like family, many of whom have become good friends. The Newport experience is personal, deeply historic and logistically friendly. What Jay Sweet and his team have accomplished through the years to keep the spirits of Pete (Seeger) and George (Wein) vibrating through the music and the artists that make it, is nothing short of the best kind of musical karma. The artists know it. The attendees know it. The volunteers and staff know it. Portrait sessions with artists at Newport happen, and photographing Allison Russell, the Hanseroth twins and John Craigie, Steve Poltz and Tre Burt was a joy. Sessions are brief, maybe three to five minutes over a block of half an hour and a half dozen photographers. Allison Russell is such a beautiful and luminous artist and human. She had just finished her set, and not only was she extremely gracious, but she effortlessly found the camera with her poses and movements. Newport Jazz was strong this year as well and continues to fly under the leadership of Artistic Director (and all things Phillie fanatic) Christian McBride. Bill Frisell, Samara Joy, a Wayne Shorter Tribute, Elvis Costello, Kamasi and more Stanley Clarke were all highlights.

 

The Medicine Singers included Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo and mashed up Native American drums with Link Wray’s “The Rumble”, a big whoah moment, Newport Folk Festival, July 26, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

The luminous Allison Russell, portrait shoot, Newport Folk Festival, July 26, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

The Black Pumas’ Eric Burton gives the pit photographers a shot, Newport Folk Festival, July 26, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Molly Tuttle, Newport Folk Festival, July 26, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Michael Trent and Carrie Ann Hurst are Shovels & Rope, Newport Folk Festival, July 26, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Bertha: Grateful Drag jamming it up, Newport Folk Festival, July 26, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

John Craigie and Langhorne Slim, Newport Folk Festival, July 27, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Newport Folk Festival, July 27, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Hanseroth twins, portrait session, Newport Folk Festival, July 27, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Killer Mike expanded the folk boundary, Newport Folk Festival, July 27, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Steve Poltz OMG moment, portrait session, Newport Folk Festival, July 27, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Dancing volunteer, Newport Folk Festival, July 28, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Taj Mahal, Newport Folk Festival, July 28, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Sierra Ferrell, Newport Folk Festival, July 28, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Conan O’Brien takes in the moment closing out the Newport Folk Festival, July 29, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

The photographers of Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals 2024.

 

Bill Frisell, one of this photographer’s desert island guitarists, brought his dreamy loopiness to the 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Chief Adjuah stretch music stretching farther, 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Cory Wong getting down at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Kamasi Washington, 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Knoel Scott of the Sun Ra Arkestra sprinkles a little juju, 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Anat Cohen and her rhythm section, 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

The inimitable Elvis Costello shows his jazzier side at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Samara Joy, 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 2, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Ravi Coltrane in a tribute to Wayne Shorter, 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Stanley Clarke, 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 3, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Vocalist Alexis Isley, 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Guitarist Jeff Parker, 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

Laufey drew one of the largest crowds of the 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

“The first bass solo I learned was a Fred Wesley trombone solo.” Fred Wesley, with Christian McBride looking on at the 70th Newport Jazz Festival, August 4, 2024, Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island.

 

August gave way to a return orbit from Galactic at the Venice West and a frothy shared bill of Tab Benoit and Anders Osborne for their Sound of Thunder tour stop at St. Rocke in the South Bay. Oteil and Friends landed at the Bellwether in September, and as any human knows, life gets complicated, and the 67th Monterey Jazz Festival was a miss for me this year.

 

Galactic’s Angelika “Jelly” Joseph, August 15, 2024, The Bellwether, Los Angeles, California.

 

Galactic guitarist Jeff Raines with bassist Robert Mercurio, August 15, 2024, The Bellwether, Los Angeles, California.

 

Tab Benoit rumbled through the South Bay with Anders Osborne for their “Sound of Thunder” tour, August 30, 2024, St. Rocke, Hermosa Beach, California. With Corey Duplechin and Anders Osborne.

 

Oteil Burbridge, Steve Kimock and Lamar Williams, Jr., September 12, 2024, The Bellwether, Los Angeles, California.

 

Oteil Burbridge, September 12, 2024, The Bellwether, Los Angeles, California.

 

As a relative newcomer to the Jazz Journalists Association, the October release of “The Jazz Omnibus: 21st Century Photos and Writings” by Cymbal Press was especially meaningful as the 600+ page anthology includes only 23 photos selected by the JJA, two of which are from Jim Brock Photography.The year wrapped with a couple of favorites. Richard Thompson at The Bellwether in November, and the annual return of the seldom seen out of New Orleans constellation that is Dragon Smoke at Venice West. RT dazzled me with his Strat, leaning heavily on his latest record, but dipping way back, too. Ivan Neville, Eric Lindell, Robert Mercurio and more Stanton Moore were lockstep in their groove, and Ivan’s “The Greatest Place on Earth” always gets me grinning.

 

Richard Thompson went “Ship to Shore” while digging back into his catalogue at The Bellwether, November 9, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

 

Richard Thompson, November 9, 2024, The Bellwether, Los Angeles, California.

 

Eric Lindell with Robert Mercurio of Dragon Smoke, December 5, 2024, Venice West, Los Angeles, California.

 

The Galactic and Dragon Smoke rhythm section of Stanton Moore and Robert Mercurio were locked in at Venice West, December 5, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

 

I was grinning right along with Ivan Neville and “The Greatest Place on Earth”, near the end of Dragon Smoke’s set, Venice West, December 5, 2024, Los Angeles, California.

 

And, so, another one’s in the books. We’ve all had our hits and misses, and if we’re lucky, we’ll have plenty more. it was also a year of losses, of hardship, of uncertainty. But when I heard Phil Lesh was gone, a piece of me went, too. Phil compared the Dead’s music to life itself. Both, he said, were “a series of recurring themes, transpositions, repetitions, unexpected developments, all converging to define form that is not necessarily apparent until its ending has come and gone.” May we continue searching for that sound. I know I will, camera in hand.

 

Forever searching for the sound. Phil Lesh – 3/15/40-10/15/24