Sharon Jones at Brooklyn Bowl 12/30/09

Happy New Year Everyone

Sharon Jones helped us get through the holidays with a home-borough show at the Brooklyn Bowl the day before NYE. Here's hoping for a good year of music in 2010.

Photoshelter Slideshow Here

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.

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.