Anna Ives vs. Cancer - Special Auction

(Anna Ives with dad Zac watching Greg Cartwright @ Gonerfest in 2007)

There is a special fundraising effort currently happening for Anna Ives, a beautiful 4 year old girl who has been bravely fighting brain cancer for the last 2 years. Anna is the daughter of Zac Ives, co-owner of Goner Records in Memphis, TN and Amy Ives.

The fundraising includes a benefit concert at the Hi-Tone in Memphis and a special auction of donated music, artwork, services, hotels, meals and more.

The auction has drawn in donations from many great designers, artists and photographers connected with the Memphis community. Every cent goes directly to the Ives family to help with the costs of travel and medical treatment.

All the information on whats up for auction and how to bid is here.

I am donating a full photography shoot, including promotional rights and a final print, the bidding starts at $100. This is a great opportunity for a band on a budget or for anyone who needs a professional promotional photo.

Mighty Hannibal - Dig Deeper

Saturday was another great night at Dig Deeper, the monthly soul series at the 5 Spot in Ft. Greene Brooklyn. It was the Mighty Hannibal's night to shake and growl and he gave us all a lesson on how to work a crowd and handle a band (although the Sweet Divine Rhythm Band doesn't need much help in that department. ) Props also to Mr. Finewine who played some great records and has been helping Hannibal get out and play.



check the full photo gallery here

This series has evolved into a wonderful way to see real soul music in the flesh with a terrific band and a good crowd. It's been fun photographing it as it evolves.

Anyone interested in learning more about this man's music should pick up a copy of the excellent and only compilation Hannibalism on Norton Records.

In the Clouds with School of Seven Bells - le Poisson Rouge

School of Seven Bells at (le) Poisson Rouge for a Self-Titled Magazine curated event.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble Joe's Pub 1.10.09

2009 Resolution #7- always experiment and make pictures to please yourself, not others. (more on that below *)

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble at Joe's Pub. Thanks to Jennie Wasserman for suggesting that I come see them. The short story: 7 brothers (plus a drummer), son's of Philip Cohran ( Sun Ra/AHE/AACM) - -funky - from the heart, no pretense - just hustle, chops and showmanship - worth seeing.

* Concert photography gets old, and fast. It's a limited relationship with the subject, limited perspectives to shoot from, limited light and limited financially unless you're shooting big concerts with even more restraints - putting it very close to paparazzi territory. So I now say, officially, screw it, all further photography will be done for my own reasons and going to shoot shows will be an exploration of music I like / am curious about. The approach of making pictures will be an experiment, it doesn't won't if I don't come away with a good picture as long as I don't come away with a boring one.

Howard Tate - Sweet Divines - Joe's Pub

Happy New Year Everyone! Before disappearing into the black hole of unproductivity known as 'the holidays' I had a nice time going to Joe's Pub to see my friends the Sweet Divines. Their special guest was soul legend Howard Tate whose best work was recorded on Verve with Jerry Ragovoy in the 1960's.

a few more pictures here

To those of you familiar with his albums, the portrait is very much in the style of his 1967 Atlantic album cover. There were some mirrors back stage at Joe's Pub and I set up a couple behind him to see how it would look.