Musicians

If you are a musician or a band in the Rochester, New York area and you would like me to photograph one of your live shows, please contact me.

Sax At Preservation Hall — New Orleans, 2002 #02-004-05

I'll tell you what others told me when I got to New Orleans: "Go to Preservation Hall!" I went twice, and I don't even like jazz all that much. But who can't tap their toes to "The Saints"? Just a couple of blocks from Jackson Square, you'll wait in line on St. Peter Street for at least half an hour. It is worth the wait, and the five dollar ticket. Flash photography, video and audio recording are strictly prohibited in the Hall, but I was able to quietly shoot away using nothing more than the light from a ceiling fan fixture above the band. I think this is my best musician photo. This sax player could wail.

Trumpet At Preservation Hall — New Orleans, 2002 #02-004-07

I used to play trumpet in high school. I bet this guy did, too. Only he probably practiced more than me. Seriously, Preservation Hall is a wonderfully intimate setting in which to hear these masters play. It's dark, stuffy, crowded, and almost certainly a fire hazard, but nobody seems to mind.

True Believers At The Continental Club — Austin, Texas, 2002 #02-008-24

Wheeeeeeeeeee…My ears were ringing for three days after this show. That's Alejandro Escovedo on the right, and his brother, Javier, on the left. The True Believers were a popular rock band in Austin back in the 1980's, and from time to time they have a reunion show at the mighty fine Continental Club. I was in the right place at the right time to get a ticket, and I got to stand right in front for the whole show. Thus the ringing ears. The Troobs (as they're known locally) tore the house down; I couldn't get a non-blurry shot of Javier, who kept doing Pete Townshend kicks over my head.

Fugazi At Emo's — Austin, Texas, 2002 #02-006-04

I've always been impressed by Fugazi, and it's good to see that they still set up their own equipment and charge under ten dollars for shows. It was nearly impossible for me to move in any direction due to the crowd; certainly not closer to the stage. I guess you'd have to be a Fugazi fan to buy this photo, but most Fugazi fans tend to harbor disdain for band memorabilia. So this photo is here simply because I like it, if only for the drummer's head poking up in the back.

John Reischman And The Jaybirds — Hillsboro, New Mexico, 2003 #03-004-05

John Reischman and the Jaybirds stayed at the Black Range Lodge in Kingston, New Mexico while on their tour through the Southwest. I was fortunate to be there at the same time. They played an intimate show for us at the Lodge, then did a bigger concert at the nearby Hillsboro Community Center, shown here. Trisha Gagnon is the most beautiful bass player I've ever seen, and she sings like an angel. The rest of the band isn't bad, either.

Stargazer Lily At The Deer Park Tavern — Newark, Delaware, 2001 #CL-008-03

Stargazer Lily is a very talented band from Philadelphia that used to frequent the Deer Park Tavern (before it was renovated out of its former "dive" condition, which I preferred). The lighting at this show was dismal, except for one spotlight on the guitarist. I like how she seems totally at peace in the moment.