August 24, 2026 Some years ago, a colleague who helped produce the Newport Jazz Festival encouraged me to join the Jazz Journalists Association. I was initially reluctant. After all, I’m a photographer first, who occasionally writes in a conversational style. The jazz journalists I’ve read through the years, including JJA members (many of whom are […]
July 24-26, 2026 “We are still stronger when we sing together”. Pete Seeger’s words greeted all who arrived at Fort Adams for this year’s Newport Folk Festival And, yes, it felt like the world hung in the balance more than ever. Newport Folk is where I find my joy every last weekend of July, and […]
May 8-9, 2026 This post also appears in Just Jazz Magazine. Los Angeles County is home to 88 individual incorporated cities, and it is having a jazz moment. With the Blue Note coming up on its first full year in Hollywood, and so many other rooms buzzing, something has quietly been brewing with the ocean […]
December 30, 2025 Let’s just kick the elephant out the door and say that 2025 was, to say the least, a very rough year. From the get go, when the lowest of humanity barreled down Bourbon Street killing 14 on New Year’s Day, to the Palisades Fire nearly taking down our home (and the survivor’s […]
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 […]
November 27, 2024 I take great pride in announcing my appointment to the Just Jazz Foundation Board of Directors. The work of the foundation has been instrumental in cultivating and supporting the rich history of jazz in Los Angeles and beyond. A cultural and sonic tapestry which, like the music itself, is a fearless leap […]
October 15, 2024 “The Jazz Omnibus: 21st Century Photos and Writings”, released by Cymbal Press, is a huge anthology from over 90 contributors of the Jazz Journalists Association. While the book totals over 600 pages and the depth of writing and subjects is manna for any jazz fan, only 23 photos were selected by the […]
September 12, 2024 This post also appears in MusicFestNews.com. Oteil Burbridge has always had a joyful stage presence. A barefoot warrior with an ebullient smile tethered to those bubbling six strings. The ground breaking, consciousness lifting, mind splitting Dead & Co. Sphere residency is done. The face paint is off, and the bassist is on […]
August 2-4, 2024 The Newport Jazz festival is truly the granddaddy of them all as it celebrated its 70th year. It is steeped in the tradition of giants while holding the ears from Gen Alpha on up like no other jazz festival I’ve experienced. The opportunity to shoot the Newport Folk Festival the weekend before […]
July 26-28, 2024 Well, Newport Folk hit its Medicare age a little before me, but NFF 65 has all the vigor of its youth. Songs are still sung as resistance, but they may take the shape of Killer Mike and De La Soul, the Grateful Drag of Bertha or Billy Bragg and his Woody […]