Photographing Wynton
My life as a photographer has transported me to many a significant place and moment. My role as Official Photographer for the Hamptons Jazz Festival now has added a special one to the list: documenting the 4th of July weekend concert by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
When I first moved to New York, I coincidentally moved to an apartment on Duke Ellington Boulevard (West 106th Street). Another twist had me happening into a bar on Broadway a few blocks up where I followed the sound of music into a back room & first heard the great Russell Procope and his band Ellingtonia. Mr. Procope had been a clarinetist in the Duke’s band. I was hooked and became a regular at his appearances there.
Now, I was at Southampton Arts Center to hear the master, Wynton Marsalis, and this incredible ensemble of mesmerizing soloists perform an entire evening of Ellington compositions. The sound was amazing, the musicianship off the charts. There is nothing quite like being in the presence of this music LIVE!
Mr. Marsalis sat with the other trumpeters in the back row (as someone mentioned to me: always closest to the rhythm section) and at the SAC this meant on a riser just in front of their array of organ pipes. He stayed seated the entire evening even as he played the role of MC, announcing the program, the numbers, and his fellow players. His voice has a mellifluous tone and he weaves a spell with stories of history, anecdotes, and the cultural importance of music especially in our current time. The backdrop of the organ pipes was perfectly suited as it often felt like being in a place of worship with an honored minister conducting a sermon. It all makes sense as EDUCATION is a major part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s mission.
His own playing, of course, was indescribably incredible. Refusing the spotlight for the entirety of the program, Marsalis remained a member of the ensemble. As one might imagine this offered a unique challenge towards securing a singular image of him. Yet having team access as I did allowed me to find the one tiny window I could to photograph him while playing. This meant dusting the floor of yet another auditorium with the seat of my trousers which, by this point in my career I am well used to. I got as low as I could alongside the rising stage and photographed through the music stands. For me, compositionally, it was a great vantage point and using my long lens gave me a singular view for watching the concentration, intensity, emotion, command and the cool of this Master at work. BONUS: I was given quite the rush when he provided me THE photo op of looking straight at me and my camera for just long enough to result in my “keeper."
