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JAZZ IN NEW YORK: A COMMUNITY OF VISIONS
Photos by Lourdes Delgado
Exhibition dates: May 25 July 3
Opening: May 25 from 6 to 8
Where: Jazz Gallery
290 Hudson St
New York, NY 10013
212 2421063
“Lourdes Delgado's images of representative members of the jazz community are beautiful and remarkable in and of themselves, but beyond that, they provide a revelatory context for each individual. There have been thousands of photographs, many fine, of musicians and others active in the realm of jazz, but Delgado sees her well-chosen subjects from a different and wholly original perspective. These are much more than portraits, and must be seen by all who care about jazz, photography, and human beings.”
Dan Morgenstern, Director of Institute of Jazz
Studies, Rutgers University
Jazz In New York: A Community of Visions is an exhibition of black and white environmental portraits of NYC jazz musicians and others from the world of jazz captured in their homes. It explores jazz from
a social and cultural view point rather than a musical one. It takes musicians out of the locations common in jazz literature and iconography studio and shows them in a more personal and revealing space.
The photographs are taken using a large format camera to create images that are very rich in detail. They focus not only on the subjects but also on their surroundings: the structure of the room, the quality of the light, and the objects themselves.
Another distinctive feature is that Lourdes Delgado takes only one photo per session. This fast and decisive method allows for spontaneity, honesty, and immediacy not often found in posed portraits, especially when working with exposure times longer than one second. Like a jazz musician, she accepts the result with its achievements and mistakes.
The subjects chosen represent different ages, genders, background, instruments, musical approaches, and economic status. The exhibition is not focused on famous musicians nor a particular jazz scene. This project portrays this community with the belief that each individual, whether on a larger or smaller scale, has a contribution to make.
 This exhibition is part of a larger project started in 2000 to feature more than 275 portraits. "Jazz in New York: A Community of Visions started as an outgrowth of my observations of the New York jazz scene various capacities interact, work together and approach life”, says Lourdes Delgado. “The very nature of jazz music, with its structure and spontaneity, complements a sense of community that encourages collaboration. Musicians work and live with a healthy balance as creative individuals and social beings. To me this community is an example of a democracy that works and I want to show visually the people who form it portraying them in their homes. My project is also an analysis of how musicians live. Most of them lead simple lives compared with other professionals. At the same time, they seem content with what they have. Their example challenges the materialistic ideal of our society.”
Lourdes Delgado (born in Barcelona, Spain) has lived in Brooklyn since 1994. She is a professional photographer and has exhibited her work in galleries all around the country. Her project Jazz in New York: A Community of Visions will be exhibited this year at the Brooklyn Music School (Brooklyn, June 911) and jazz radio station WBGO (New Jersey, August 1 September 26). In 2006, it will be shown at Three Rivers Community College (CT), Sinclair Community College (OH) and Amarillo College (TX).
The project is yet to be sold to a publishing house.
For a short video on the project, please go to
http://photographychannel.tv/ and click on "Jazz In New York: A Community of Visions".
If you don’t have a broadband Internet connection, go here where you can also see some images at:
http://www.jazzhouse.org/jpg/delgado3/
Contact the photographer: www.lourdesdelgado.com photo@lourdesdelgado.com
[Many thanks go to Ron Nethercutt for referring this excellent photographer and her work to Jazzphil website. Editor.]
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