Floyd Arthur Dakil - 1945-2010

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RIP Dale Hawkins - live at the Ponderosa Stomp 2009

A great innovator and personality of the rock and roll era passed away today. Dale Hawkins died after a struggle with cancer at the age of 74. Last year at the annual Ponderosa Stomp festival in New Orleans, Dale delivered an amazing set sandwiched between James Burton (who at age 14 originated the searing guitar riffs heard on 'Suzie-Q' and went on to lay down brilliant guitar work for Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley and many others) and Deke Dickerson who has been preserving the history of western guitar with his fine ensemble the Eccophonics.

I was lucky to be there that night. I don't remember the exact quote, but Dale seemed so happy and energized by the gig that he told the audience that performing his music with such great company did him more good than all the medicine in the world.

part of the show was broadcast on American Routes

Update: Norton Records has a very beautiful remembrance of their friend up here

Definitely STILL LIFE at the STAX MUSEUM

This past Sunday I returned from Memphis, humbled and my heart filled by the great response we had at the opening for "STILL LIFE IN SOUL: Contemporary Music Photography by Jacob Blickenstaff" at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

On Friday, November 6th, the Stax Museum combined a party for members and former artists with the reception for the show, it was a beautiful evening. Former Stax president and now head of the Memphis Music Foundation, Al Bell, gave me, the Stax alumni in the room and the Stax Music Academy heartfelt introductions. With the talented music academy backing, Eddie Floyd was coaxed to sing his soul mega-hit "Knock on Wood", followed by Harvey Scales performing "I Can't Turn You Loose" and then William Bell with his masterful "You Don't Miss Your Water".

Eddie Floyd

Harvey Scales

William Bell

The vibe in the room was amazing, and was truly felt by everyone. It was a shared moment- between the young and the old, the music makers and the music lovers, the many who made contributions to Stax and the many who lovingly preserve its legacy. It was a very proud moment for me to see that my work added to that connection. The experience was a strong reminder that I've been on the right track with my instincts all this time and a great push forward.

We had many honored guests including Al Bell, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Harvey Scales, James Alexander of the Bar Kays, J Blackfoot of the Soul Children, Bettye Crutcher, Willie Hall, Deannie Parker, Curtis Johnson and Sam Jones of the Astors, Teenie and Charles Hodges of the Hi Rhythm Section, Jody Stephens of Big Star, and William Brown (of the Mad Lads and acclaimed producer/engineer) along with many others.

click here for a photo gallery of the exhibit

To top it all off, we got some great press in Memphis as well. On the Thursday before the show, I was interviewed on WREG's 'Live at 9' and managed not to embarrass myself.

I was also honored that the Commercial Appeal ran a cover story in their weekend calendar. You can read the great piece by Bob Mehr here.

Thank you Stax Museum (especially Tim Sampson), Memphis, Ponderosa Stomp, Dig Deeper, Daptone, and all my friends and family that support me and my work.

STILL LIFE IN SOUL opening at Stax Museum in Memphis this Friday!

It's almost here! Friday night we are having a special event at the Stax Museum with music by the Stax Academy, special guest appearances by Stax alumni (Al Bell, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Harvey Scales expected), food and drink and a first look at the exhibit.

7-10 PM
free for museum members, $20 at the door for non-members.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
926 E. McLemore Ave, Memphis TN.

Memberships start at $50, really worth it to support this great organization.

official info page on the Stax website here

We've had a great response so far, keep your eyes open for articles in the Memphis Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Flyer. I really hope that this show can add something to the growing interest soul music's past and future. - J

STILL LIFE IN SOUL STAX MUSEUM ANNOUNCEMENT

This is an official announcement of my upcoming photography show at the Stax Museum in Memphis, opening November 6th. I couldn't be more excited. To my knowledge this is the first show of its kind to shine a broad light on the resurgence of soul music. I hope that the show show serves to legitimize what's been going on and give it another push forward.

You can download an Electronic Press Kit about the show here

Stax Museum info page

Facebook Event page

from the press release:

MEMPHIS, TN - The Stax Museum of American Soul Music announces a new exhibition, “STILL LIFE IN SOUL,” opening November 6th, 2009. The exhibit explores the current life, activity, and resurgence in popularity of soul music through portrait, performance, and documentary photography made since 2005 by music photographer Jacob Blickenstaff.

Soul music was a nuanced, emotional, and energetic idiom that reached a worldwide audience at its height in the 1960s but then virtually disappeared by the end of the 1970s. After subsequent decades of disco, hip-hop, rap, and modern R&B – much of which covered and sampled original soul music classics from Stax Records and other labels – the roots of authentic soul are sprouting again with revived careers of veteran artists, dynamic new acts, successful concerts and festivals, reissue projects, and soul-driven independent labels.

Artists represented in the 40 photos in the exhibit include Bettye LaVette, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Lee Fields & the Expressions, Barbara Lynn, Maxine Brown, Roscoe Robinson, Harvey Scales, Candi Staton, Sir Lattimore Brown, Otis Clay, William Bell, Eddie Floyd, Skip Pitts, Ben Cauley, Mighty Hannibal, John Gary Williams (of the Mad Lads), and many others. The work chronicles performances at The Ponderosa Stomp, Lincoln Center, Dig Deeper, and the Brooklyn Soul Festival, as well as recording sessions at Daptone Studios. Many performances were backed by contemporary soul bands the Bo-Keys, The Sweet Divines, and Eli Reed and the True Loves.

WIRE Magazine Byron Coley Ponderosa Stomp Review

Just had a photo published in the UK's WIRE magazine in the July issue. Lead photo in the 'On Location' section with Roy A. Loney and Cyril Jordan of the Flamin' Groovies backed by Brooklyn's own A-Bones. Review penned by the mighty Byron Coley, who wrote for the legendary Forced Exposure zine in the 80's and early 90's and has been busy ever since.

click on the tear sheet to see a much larger, readable version.

Also note:

The Stomp in in NYC @ Lincoln Center on July 16, 17, 19

A-Bones Record release party July 10th
A-Bones with Roy and Cyril July 23rd @ Maxwells
A-Bones with Roy and Cyril July 24rd @ Southpaw

Unsung Heroes: Ponderosa Stomp Portraits

Cyril Jordan and Roy A. Loney - Co-Founders of the Flamin Groovies

FLASH GALLERY of 20 new portraits made at the Ponderosa Stomp and SXSW showcase

Ponderosa Stomp 8 Photos Night 2

More From the Ponderosa Stomp... Jerry McCain, New Orleans Revue, Wanda Jackson, Flamin Groovies! link to gallery below!

David Batiste


Rocky Charles


Flamin Groovies


GALLERY OF PONSEROSA STOMP - NIGHT 2

Ponderosa Stomp 8 Photos Night 1

I was prouder than ever to be involved with the Ponderosa Stomp, this was my fourth year down there. So many unforgettable performances - the first night featured Howard Tate (who was on fire), legendary producer, songwriter and singer Cowboy Jack Clement, Otis Clay with the original Hi Rhythm Section, The Legendary Stardust Cowboy (PARALYZED!) and Dale Hawkins sharing the stage with guitar phenom (and original session player) James Burton for the first time in 30-odd years.

I went down to help out, make portraits, document the panels and shows and I loved every second of it. Normally I can't wait to do it all over again, but our prayers have been answered: The Ponderosa Stomp is programming 3 nights this summer with Lincoln Center (July 16, 17, 19) so I better see every one of you nuts out paying your respect.

enjoy the photos, link to gallery below...

Otis Clay with Teenie Hodges of the Hi Rhythm Secion


The Legendary Stardust Cowboy


Dale Hawkins


PONDEROSA STOMP NIGHT 1 PHOTO GALLERY

Ponderosa Stomp Photo Archive

Special announcement to my New Orleans friends - I've helped organize a photo exhibit for the Ponderosa Stomp, on view tomorrow through Wednsday (April 27-29). 32 Prints covering artists from this amazing festival. I have 15 images in the show and there is also fine work by my colleagues Joe Rosen and Syndey Byrd.

Tonight we are auctioning 16 framed exhibition prints at a special donor event and all 32 images are available as 11 x 14 signed artist's proofs.

The Ponderosa Stomp features 2 amazing nights of music at the House of Blues, 3 days of conferences and film screenings and a year long exhibit about the roots of New Orleans blues, r&b and rock 'n roll.

Ponderosa Stomp no. 7 2008 Photos

Hey kids, I've posted these links in a couple of places but hey, why not on my own derned blog?!

7th Annual Ponderosa Stomp at the House of Blues, New Orleans



Night One featuring Buckwheat Zydeco, Barbara Lynn, Tony Owens, Wardell Quezergue, Dr. John aka Mac Rebbenack, Sonny Burgess, Betty Harris, the Bo-Keys, Mary Weiss, the Collins Kids and Travis Wammack



www.33-13.com/stomp_night1

Night Two featuring the Green Fuz, The Hi Rhythm Section, Syl Johnson, Spencer Wiggins, Henry Gray, James 'Sugarboy' Crawford, The Mighty Hannibal, Ronnie Spector, Roky Ericson and the Explosives and ? and the Mysterians.



www.33-13.com/stomp_night2

Wall Street Journal - Ponderosa Stomp and Dr. Ike

The Wall Street Journal did a nice profile on Dr. Ike and the Ponderosa Stomp in last week's Weekend Advisor section featuring a portrait I shot of him at his house.

Hanging With Rabbit Factory at the Ponderosa Stomp

Stepping outside my hotel in New Orleans I came across Ralph Jackson and Hermon Hitson , who along with Roscoe Robinson came to play the Ponderosa Stomp this year with thier management and protectors Rabbit Factory out of Chicago.

Impose Magazine shot some video and has a blog post, check me out snapping photos off to the side.

Barbara Lynn Photo Featured

... on the cover of Lafayette Lousiana's Independent Weekly.


I'm looking forward to seeing her again at the Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans.