This site has now been up and running since 2002, the year I retired from productive toil. Nearly 35 years following a career path in the photographic retail trade, that mirrored a game of Snakes and Ladders, had finally taken its toll. Retired hurt, physically aged 60, mentally struggling towards 20.
Time to update the biography again. Time, as they do say, flies, and it is now 2 years since the last amendments were made.
I have always enjoyed photography. Then, in the early sixties the beautiful sounds of Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd playing Desafinado gradually lead me into the world of jazz. My education was also assisted by being a member of the Frank Sinatra App. Soc. A debt is owed to the many people I met there, especially one Stan Britt who has his own gallery in the Catalogue section.
In the seventies my photographic efforts began to be concentrated on the music, thus combining two hobbies in one, and occasionally a third when sipping a glass of malt whilst carrying out the first two.
Now, ten years into retirement, my hours are spent playing golf, badly, continuing to enjoy and photograph the artists performing my favourite music, and travelling. Yes, I've just reached the famous three score and ten.
Finally made New Orleans. An amazing city and lifestyle, but incredibly so much renovation still to do. On a slightly different note, also made it to Memphis. Went to purchase a beer on Beale St., and was asked to give proof of age. As the person making the request was 8ft tall and weighed 300lbs I, upon due reflection, decided to acquiesce to what I suddenly discerned as being a perfectly reasonable demand.
My long suffering manager still accomodates my hobbies, and as a special treat I do sometimes take her to a jazz gig. I'm all heart.
2013 sees the commencement of my 43rd year taking the pictures. Hopefully after another 37 years I'll be doing an update on 80 years of jazz photography. I won't be holding my breath, but I'll give it my best shot.
A great thank you to all the musicians, clubs and venues that keep the music alive and have permitted the photos to be taken. They all deserve a medal. To quote from the ancient sayings of a certain Ronnie Scott, 'It's easy to make a million out of jazz. Just start off with two'.