Any great lover of jazz music has one way or another come across the names of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock. And nobody can come across a Bluenote record cover and not see the authenticity. When it comes down to it, when I think of the word "classic" a Bluenote Jazz cover and the whole image it portrayed is on the top of my list. And none of the work is over the top or trying to do anything beyond simply taking a moment and capturing it as is.
That's why I love to be in jam sessions and studio recordings because you get into that world. The world of the artist and the creative process. The deep thinking and the mood expressed by each player can be seen in a glimpse of a moment. The closest I've ever been to seeing what goes on in the mind of a creative at work. And Francis Wolff knew how to capture that. His pictures give me the feeling of mystery and an intimate look into the musicians' inner world on stage and in the studio.
It's so clear to any marketer and image maker that what you see behind the product or the art at play is greatly influenced by the visuals that accompany it. The music fits the images perfectly and completely compliments its style. But not anyone can capture such realness. You've got to really be in the thick of it and Francis was there. Day in day out. Almost every rehearsal, every recording session and performance. One of the most stylish and original ways to document an era so crucial to the growth and progression of jazz music. Not for the wishy washy and faint of heart. You really got to be dedicated in order to have such a collection of phenomenal work.
In today's world of fast digital photography it's pretty hard to come out of the muck of bad and unoriginal work. But when I think of classic innovative consistency, Francis Wolff and his work with Bluenote trumps them all. So when all else fails remember to keep it classic.
KEEP SNAPPIN'
Chris From Manikmati Photography