Cover of the latest release in Europe from Tony Bennett.

This photograph was taken at Glasgow Jazz Festival in 2003 during an outdoor concert in George Square.

I remember arriving just as Mr. Bennett went on, I quickly settled near the piano while around 20 other photographers flocked over on the right hand of the stage.

Sooner rather later he strolled over with the air of a Roman Emperor to sing his second song.

Order a print of the uncropped image

Format: CD Label: SONY BMG Catalogue Number: 88697985612 Barcode

The Very Talented Mr. Quiqley

The Very Exuberant Mr. Quigley!

The Mira Opalinska International Quartet enroute to the stage

Mira Opalinska

Dr. Lonnie Smith

Mose Allison

John Nugent and Bob Sneider sit in - Brian Kellock's arm too - quiet late, I'd been drinking Irn Bru responsibly.

Fiona and friends at the Thistle after gig jam on Friday

Joe Temperley solo

Glasgow Jazz Festival is the one that I have attended for the past 20 years – and this year’s was right on the button as usual with a mouth-watering program of homegrown and international artists who inspire and excite in equal measure. Young players are given the big stage at the Old Fruitmarket (my all-time favourite venue) and they fill it beautifully. All the artists, young and mature show a complete committment to their art as they keep the music moving forward on a journey with instinct as their guide.

The venues always feel so warm and relaxing, seeming to enfold the musicians in an atmosphere of bonhomie drawing the very best from all those on stage – and the audience. The new after-hours venue at the Thistle worked well, Ryan Quiqley’s crack about the room was very funny – it was the kind of place you play twice – once on the way up, and once on the way down. Thankfully the large (with bar of course) room soaked up the energy and great music played and by the Sunday night it was a club you didn’t want to leave.

Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra - MD Stewart Stewart Forbes

Wynton Marsalis

Walter Blanding Jr.

Joe Temperley

Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra - Sax and cases

In conference before the concert

Walter Blanding Jr. runs through a piece

In Concert

Wynton Marsalis - back to New York

This was my 20th Anniversary Shoot (and I’m only 29!) at the wonderful Glasgow Jazz Festival, where I have photographed many of the leading figures in music – Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, B.B.King, Horace Siver, Max Roach, Don Pullen, Bobo Stenson, Roy Hargrove and many more . The great Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra lead by Wynton Marsalis closed out another great festival on Sunday evening. We chatted briefly as I made the portrait of Mr. Marsalis and I was able to congratulate him on the announcement of his family being uniquely honoured in receiving a National Endowment for the Arts award.  It was lovely to meet up with Joe Temperley and photograph him as he warmed up his bari. The Orchestra then played the last night of their European tour to an enrapt audience at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. They were tighter than a tight thing, performing Ellington compositions so eloquently  I’m sure the Duke would have loved it madly too.

I have now linked up two excellent blogs which are featuring the Glasgow Jazz Festival – London Jazz Blog by Sebastian Scotney and Euphbass by Jennifer Pollock