Good Music Ain't Hard to Find: Adam and Kat Hawley are The TRUTH

I am a huge jazz guitar fan.  My love affair with jazz began with Wes Montgomery.  So I am biased when it comes to my favorite artists. I have a new favorite and it is Adam Hawley.  This brother is the truth.  I became hip to Adam when he hit Billboard #1 with his 35th Street jam off of his debut release Just the Beginning.  I checked out the album I was blown away from start to finish.

When I heard he was coming to Atlanta I made it my business to be there.  I had been in church all day but I drug myself and my camera to the Velvet Note.  I met the brother and his family and you could feel the love immediately.  A real good brother who loves his wife and his family, you can see it and feel it.  This love I felt after meeting them was transferred to the stage.  What a performance.

There is something special about a very talented artist who loves the music and the people they perform with and for.  Adam cares about those who come to see him.  He reaches out and touches you when he plays.  He is such a gifted musician that you don’t even notice how hard he is working because the musicianship is just that good. He makes that guitar do things that make even a novice go…WTH!  

When he and his wife, Kat, perform together you see the love and respect they have for each other.  They take you to a place with them as their two souls unite on stage. I say this while realizing all the connotations of this phrase, there is a sacredness about the Hawley family and I thank the creator for this union.  To sum this up. If you don’t have the album Just the Beginning - get it today.  Stream it today.  If Adam Hawley is coming to a town near you drive, catch an uber, walk, run / jog you want to experience this brother all the way LIVE! 

The future of jazz is in good hands.  We have to support these artists and their work.  Will you join me in supporting my brother?  Will you buy the album?  Stream it on Spotify, Apple Music…will you do that today? A star is born...give him some shine.

Photography is Jazz for the Eyes

I am well into a new body of work and the journey is amazing. My new work is rooted in my love for jazz and photography.  The work brings together these two loves of mine in ways that is life giving for me and I hope also for those who engage the work.

The past weekend I shoot at The Velvet Note here in Atlanta (Alpharetta) and once again it was amazing.  I am the Artist in Residence at the Velvet Note and Tamara Fuller, the owner has been more than gracious to me.  This week she had Curtis Lundy perform and ignited a new fire in me to hear this great music.  Curtis Lundy was the bassist and music director for Betty Carter and he is still as hot as ever.  

Curtis Lundy was joined by Joe Doubleday on vibraphone, Howard Nicholson on saxophone, Terreon Gully on drums and Louis Heriveaux on piano.  The music moved me..as William Claxton, the great jazz photographer would say, “I listen with my eyes.”  As I watched for light trying to find good shots it was as if I to were playing with the band in my own way.  While not up on stage, I like all the other members of the audience felt as if they were playing just for me.  

One of the many wonderful things about The Velvet Note is its intimacy and exquisite sound.  It is literally the acoustic living room.  It is music the way it was meant to be heard and you are up close and personal with artirst.  My work is to show the music in my images.  Once again retiring to one my idols, William Claxton, “Photography is jazz for the eye.” He then goes on to say, “All I ask you to do is listen with your eyes.” I invite you to follow me on this new journey as this body of work evolves.  

I See Jazz…will you look with me?

I See Jazz

The Photo Album from Curtis Lundy Show