2026 has been a great year to meet and photograph behind the scenes and performances of some influential smooth jazz musicians. Thought you might also like some images away from the stage.
First is Brian Culbertson – crazy keyboards and trombone player! I spent a few minutes with Brian and captured this quick portrait. He’s got a thousand different expressions.
Brian at work!
Next up is Marcus Miller – Electric bass/bass clarinet and multiple grammy winner. Plays and composes. Worked with Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Herbie Hancock and others.
Marcus with 4x Grammy-winning percussionist Munyungo Jackson in the background.
Here’s Keiko Matsui (piano) and Peter White (guitar). Keiko blends eastern and western music into Jazz. Super nice person. Peter was Al Stewart’s guitar player for many years. He’s a fun-loving Brit who’s worked with Grover Washington, David Sanborn, Rick
Boney James and Eric Merinthal. Boney and Eric are both multiple Grammy winners and can really rip it up! I ask Boney what was under the hat and why he always wore it everywhere. He showed me a photo without the hat and there was just more curly hair!
Kenny G. Never got to meet him, but he can lay down some great sounds!
Finally, Patches Stewart and Marqueal Jordan at a rehearsal– Patches is well-known by the jazz community – Played with George Duke, Diana Ross, David Sanborn plus Earth Wind and Fire. He’s with Marqueal Jordan, who is up and coming in the jazz world and i
Appreciate it! This keeps me off the streets and out of everyone’s hair! I worked my way through college playing in bands on weekends and over the summers. Met some great people and learned a lot! Now I’m playing keyboards and trying my hand at writing a bit of simple jazz.
I don't know what I admire most - your careful selection of aperture, where the subject is leaping off the page and the background is expertly blurred, the excellent framing or the stories to bring it all together. Top notch work. (Good choice of a handle too)
Jim Rickards wrote:
I don't know what I admire most - your careful selection of aperture, where the subject is leaping off the page and the background is expertly blurred, the excellent framing or the stories to bring it all together. Top notch work. (Good choice of a handle too)
Thanks Jim, appreciate the compliments. What can I say, I totally enjoy their skill and their personalities. Absolutely great people!
