Archive for September, 2008

Legendary photographer famously known for jazz, Herman Leonard gave a talk over a slide show followed by a Q&A session at the Santa Monica College. He has all – quick wit, personality, charm, that automatically makes someone my hero. His body of work is hard to match. I learned so much.

Herman - Q&A

Herman signing his book

Herman notices my FILM camera

Nels Cline and Bill Frisell – Big Sur

When I heard that Nels will be playing with Bill Frisell in Big Sur , I freaked out. Luckily I could (easily) coerce my friends Phebbie and Josh to all attend as we would already be in Santa Cruz that weekend. It was, as I insisted mentally, necessary to be there – to realign the construction of our consciousness – on behalf of ourselves and as witness for humanity. What more could you dream of than being in the middle of beautiful Big Sur’s grand surrounding of giant redwoods listening to Frisell, Nels, and then BOTH? 

Bill solo

Nes and Bill duo

Nels and Bill

Bill and Nels

Event Promoter, Producer - Ian Brennan

David Breskin and Bill Frisell after show

Bill Frisell, David Breskin, Nels Cline, and Carla Bozolich

Hermosa Beach on a Friday night is a fucking DRAG. I drove around for an hour and there was no way a parking would open up. Most parking were short term meters. This was infuriating. I had to park a mile away and walked to my destination.

I thought all would be worth it to go catch a Joe Rogan’s standup show by myself hoping to make a small entry in documenting him. I remember when I first started to take pictures of music shows some years ago, I was also feeling awkward to be buying a ticket for one. The comedy scene is actually worse, for being more of a couple/group outings than music shows. And without a prior arrangement for some photo access, I was feeling even more off – purpose, sitting in my assigned seat, and off-timed to make a case for any photos.

But I already decided to see him. Ended up I was glad I did even to just watch like an obedient audience. He was quite entertaining. What makes Rogan unique in my opinion is that he’s a natural talker. He seems to think and process every thing out loud. His logic is like a long roller coaster ride, purposely twisty but structurally secured. Some materials put the audience on edge, but after my unquestionable fondness of Stanhope, I almost feel like I can be ready for anything – granting that it is good – and Rogan, was – good.

He went about an hour longer than scheduled. I found this adorable. It’s like going to a friend’s house, knowing that people have to go to bed at some point, but the friend gets on such a tangent that you can’t stop them.. being high or drunk or what not – because it’s their house.. and because they are on to something. I choose spontaneous discovery of substance any day over some preconceived rules. And Rogan definitely left me a lot of thoughts to chew on.

This was the first time I got to see Tricky. My friends Phebbie and Josh took me along to the show. I didn’t bring a camera due to my lack of pre planning. But I thought it’s still worth making a note of it for such incredible show it was. Tricky, explained in the wikipedia as having the “dark, rich and layered sound” style, was an easy draw for me. The contrast of his singing with his singer Martina Topley-Bird, as appeared on the albums, precisely translated in the grander nature of live performance – was dramatic, creating a very intense theatrical vibe. We had a really great time just watching him.

OR it could all be intensified by the substance of mushrooms. This great night… ended with my watching the movie Matrix for the first time (and later Celebrity Death Match!?!?). I think I forever changed. Maybe.

The first annual Los Angeles’s own jazz festival lined up with local favorites of musical groups and artists alike. I was excited to go. A lot of people I adore were playing. I didn’t expect to run into so many people I used to know, sorta know, and should have already known. It was a sweet family friendly (but not in a lame way) event. 

Well, I just failed to find any photos from this day. This is incredible. I DID take pictures, didn’t I? I know I did some footage I haven’t gotten around to editing yet. I’ll just install a placeholder here until further notice.