Linda May Han Oh

Linda May Han Oh at Southampton Arts Center 2023

Immediately after my photo exhibition & reception @southamptonartscenter came a real treat: listening & photographing the transcendent performance of the fabulous musician @lindamayhanoh who performed with the @fabianalmazan quartet .

See Hot Sax!

“Hey Kids, let’s put on a Show!” Please put this date on your calendar and come on down to the awesomely awesome Southampton Arts Center on Saturday, April 22 right in downtown Southampton, NY. It’s all part of the Hamptons Jazz Fest (for which I, every so humbly, am the official photographer) and the show reception will be followed by, what else?! Great music via Cuban/American Fabian Almazan and his quintet. As one might suspect, my show will be a collection of the work over the past year at the Festival — 30 images of hot jazz stars and ambience (Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Randy Brecker, Bakithi Kumalo, and more!) And, YES, to keep the groove goin’ you can purchase the framed images and take them home with you!

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."