Sunday, November 4, 2012

A noun, architectonics refers to the scientific study of architecture. It includes musical, literary, and artistic structure.

The definition is quite appropriate for this photograph I made at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, one of the most technically and architecturally advanced performing arts centers in the world.

I admire the graceful lines and simplicity of the solitary, lighted candles on tables nestled in the curve of the wall. The walls are not normally this color; there was a wash of blue light from below.

Photograph copyright 2012 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Dan Thomas

A passionate performer, Dan Thomas is a musician and educator who came to the United States from Canada in 1993. He has performed and presented with some of the most important jazz performers and academicians in the United States, Canada and abroad.

Dan can often be seen at jazz festivals throughout the United States and Canada, plus he performs regularly in small jazz combos, classical chamber groups and with big bands.

Listen to Dan's CD's, "City Scope" and, "Musical Sanctuary". Both have received high praise in recent reviews.


This image of Dan is much more interesting to me than shooting during a show, because it is his solitary, privileged time not seen by an audience. We made this when he stepped outside to warm up just before a packed-house performance.

Photograph copyright 2012 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Bobby Watson

Bobby Watson is a saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator. He attended the University of Miami along with fellow students Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius and Bruce Hornsby. After graduating, he moved to New York City and joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

Bobby has worked with a multitude of notable musicians, including drummers Max Roach and Louis Hayes, fellow saxophonists George Coleman and Branford Marsalis, multi-instrumentalist Sam Rivers and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. In addition to working with instrumentalists, Watson has served in a supporting role for a number of distinguished vocalists including Joe Williams, Dianne Reeves, Lou Rawls, Betty Carter, and Carmen Lundy, and has performed as a sideman with Carlos Santana, George Coleman, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Bob Belden and John Hicks.

Bobby also composed an original song for the soundtrack of Robert De Niro's A Bronx Tale (1993).

A resident of New York for most of his professional life, he still performs live engagements around the world and leaves time for teaching. Watson is currently involved with the Thelonious Monk Institute's yearly "Jazz in America" high school outreach program.


Addendum: Bobby Watson was presented the prestigious Benny Golson Jazz Master Award at Howard University in Washington, D.C., March 7, 2013. He was honored for his excellence in jazz.


Photograph copyright 2012 Larry F. Levenson. All rights reserved.