Concept and expedition

It is well known that many jazz musicians are classically trained and their musical vision and virtuosic technique

often leads to invitations to collaborate with artists working in other genres and facets of the culture.

Given this ability - and the often more commercially rewarding opportunities available to them,

what is it that compels musicians to chose the broad canon of jazz as their primary means of musical expression?

My aim is not to position or attach greater value to any genre above another, rather to present the perspective

of the jazz artists themselves on the question via interviews and portraits.

Concept and expedition

WhyJazz? was conceived on a hot sleepless New York jet-lagged Friday night on the 5th of July 2024 and the first session took place the next night at the Village Vanguard where I had arranged to photograph the pianist Kevin Hays who was appearing with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Billy Hart.

As I set up my camera and light in the backroom as I have before, I wondered if the new project had legs and of course the only way to find out is to ask - and where better to test it than a Saturday night at the Vanguard.

Billy Hart was the first to arrive and settled in to the comfortable leather chair. After a few minutes to relax I introduced myself and told him about the idea I'd had the previous night.. He thought it a valid question and began to set out his views on Why Jazz?

Mr. Hart's answer was unequivocal -

"For some of us - there is no other kind of music." - Billy Hart

Soon Larry Grenadier arrived. Billy kindly introduced me and the subject we were just talking about.

A converstion emerged between the jazz greats, breathing life into what just an idea 24 hours before.

I am working on location at music venues, hotels and artist's homes using a medium fornat film using ambient light sometimes supplemented by flash and or constant light sources.