
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.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
STILL LIFE IN SOUL STAX MUSEUM ANNOUNCEMENT
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
26th Roots of American Music Festival at Lincoln Center
Closing out the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival was the 2-day 26th Annual Roots of American Music program which presented a great and varied spread of roots related artists.
I went to photograph on my own and was particularly excited to see the re-formed Texas Tornadoes with original members (and legends) Flaco Jimenez and Augie Meyers - led by Doug Sahm's son Shawn, who does a great honor to his father's music and is a heck of a rock 'n roller himself.
Other artists in the photos include Ramblin' Jack Elliot, the Holmes Brothers, Lizz Wright, Allen Toussaint (all day one) plus the BRC Orchestra, the Louisiana Renegades, and a great lineup for the 'Mazel Tov, Mis Amigos' project on day 2.
Here is a slide show of some of the highlights.
Much praise to my friends at Lincoln Center who worked so hard to produce a wonderful season.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Brooklyn Soul Festival in Time Out New York
Kudos to my friends at Dig Deeper and Eli Reed for putting together the great 'Brooklyn Soul Festival' starting tonight at the Bell House in Brooklyn. These guys have been deservedly picking up some good press. We were able to work together to get this portrait of Otis Clay to run half page in Time Out New York with a lengthy profile of the event. Good Event + Good Promotion + Good Photography = success!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Tanya Tagaq Stew & Heidi @ Lincoln Center
Just a few photos to cure the Summertime Blues. From the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival with Inuit phenom Tanya Tagaq and Broadway agent provocateurs Stew and crew (Heidi plus a very talented band.)
Last song was 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' to a disco beat (see dancers at the end of the slideshow)
Disco Stew Doesn't Compromise....
Click for the FULL GALLERY




Thursday, July 23, 2009
Flamin Groovies in AMNY
A little extra buzz with your morning coffee - The Flamin Groovies were featured in AMNY yesterday. Sign of the Rock 'n Roll Apocalypse?
Don't miss them this week! tonight at Maxwell's and Friday at Southpaw. Devastating!
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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
