Category: Music

Music

Live: review

A flashback to some live music images from earlier in my career. Passion Pit, Randy Montana, Braxton Cook, the Juilliard Jazz Band and a few more.

Reverb Logo
Music, Portraits, Projects

Reverb: An archive of musical legacy

Reverb An Archive of Musical Legacy

Project Overview

Reverb is a photographic and audio documentary series spotlighting older musicians living in and around New York City — and eventually beyond. Through intimate portraits, ambient interviews, and still-life photography of personal relics — from weathered instruments to worn tour posters — this project seeks to honor the legacies of artists whose music shaped generations and continues to echo long after the final note.

Project Goals

  • Create compelling environmental portraits of each artist in their home or creative space
  • Record short-form audio or video interviews, preserving their reflections in their own voices
  • Document still lifes of legacy objects: instruments, photos, lyric sheets, and personal archives
  • Establish a growing archive with the potential to evolve into a book, exhibition, or multimedia experience

Get Involved

  • Know a legendary musician or a family steward of their estate? Introduce us.
  • Are you an archivist, journalist, or collaborator? Let’s talk.
  • Want to help bring this project to more cities? We welcome partnership and support.

Funding & Exhibition Vision

We envision Reverb growing into a wide-reaching archive accessible both online and in physical form. Funding will support:

  • Travel and production costs for regional shoots
  • Audio preservation and transcription
  • Gallery printing and framing
  • Development of a traveling exhibition and potential photobook

We are currently seeking:

  • Independent arts funding and grants
  • Archival and musical foundations
  • Gallery partnerships and creative residencies

If you’d like to support, connect us with resources, or collaborate in building this project, reach out!

Music, Portraits

In The Studio: Jacquelene Acevedo

A few images from my recent photo session with Grammy Award-winning percussionist Jacquelene Acevedo. These days she is busy performing on Broadway with David Byrne’s American Utopia so I was very happy to get back in the studio with her.

NYC Commercial Portrait Photographer
Music, Portraits

Alyson Murray : Australia Tour

Before there was COVID-19, there was a little Australian summer tour set to be headlined by the one and only, Alyson Murray.  #sad. These are the images we created one cold December night in my LIC studio. Having worked with Alyson on two prior occasions, I was excited to get back into the studio with her. In the end, the shoot came together just as I had expected; below are the images we walked away with.

Make sure to connect and follow Alyson. She’s a great singer and all around human.

http://alysonmurraymusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/alysonmurraymusic

Music, Portraits, Projects

Cool Info

          

More images HERE.  And Here

“The Cool” is a portrait exploration being conducted in the year 2021 by Ronald Stewart, a Manhattan-based creative. Throughout the year, Ronald will be holding photo/video sessions where he invites young instrumentalists to come in for predetermined session lengths. During the sessions, instrumentalists will be photographed and a short video and/or audio recording will take place. During the recording, the instrumentalist will talk about why they play their instrument(s) and share whatever other thoughts they wish. Following the session edits, participants will get copies of the selected images for personal/professional use.

Updated:  1/19/2017:
Everyone will have to partake in the video portion. Also, prepare a tip or suggestions for young players of your specific instrument; this section of the video will be uploaded to Youtube. I will have your websites/social sites listed under the video, so make sure to state that you give lessons, are available for shows, etc. When submitting for this project, list the instrument you play, your age, and provide a link to video/audio of you playing. Also, tell me, based on the available slots, which you would like.
Updated: 2/15/2017:
There will now be a $50 booking deposit. This will be returned based on the guidelines outlined in #4 of the FAQ section below. When you contact me to secure the time, let me know how you would like to pay the deposit; I am fine with Venmo/CashApp/ Chase QuickPay/etc. I will send the deposit back, the same day/way it was given to me.
Updated: 4/2/2017:
The notification for the cancellation period has been extended to 48hr; up from 24hrs. All of the existing stipulations remain constant as they are addressed in #4 of the FAQ section below.
Updated: 12/26/2018:
The project returns in the new year, 1/2019. The basic concept remains the same but here are a few changes: New Location, so make sure to check that below. This project will be extremely limited, I’m only working with 5-7 instrumentalists. Your instrument must be present at the shoot. There is no longer a video element, though I may take video during the shoot. You will get a minimum of two images; one where the instrument is the focus, the other with the musician as the focus. Currently, I am not looking for vocalists; I understand the voice is an instrument, but I just don’t see it working for this concept. With that said, you’re free to change my mind, I’m open.
 Updated: 2/05/2019:
Vocal musicians and Poets are welcome.
 Updated: 2/10/2021:
1. The video/audio element is back.
2.Covid is real. You must have had a negative COVID-19 test within 5 days of the photoshoot.
3. Artists representing mediums beyond music are now eligable. (ex. Painters, Sculptors.. )
———————————————————-

-When/Where-

The Portrait sessions will take place at my studio located inside the Cigar Factory in LIC, with sessions being conducted from 10:00-8:30 pm. Session lengths will not exceed 1 hour and will be scheduled. Don’t use Apple Maps, it’s been known to send people to Harlem.

The LAST SESSIONS will take place TBD.

Available slots left: [Once slots are booked, the time will be crossed out). If you cannot make it, you must let me know at least 48hr in advance. New Slots will be added or subtracted as scheduling dictates.

 

03/10/21:

11:15 – 12:15 PM
1:00 – 2:00 PM
3:00 – 4:00 PM

03/11/21:

11:15 – 12:15 PM
1:00 – 2:00 PM
3:00 – 4:00 PM

02/13/21:

11:15 – 12:15 PM
1:00 – 2:00 PM
3:00 – 4:00 PM

FAQ

  1. Full Address: 9-20 35th Ave, Queens, NY 11106 [Studio 2i]
  2. Why this project:
    — I want to capture young professionals and understand why they have embraced their chosen art form.
  3. What do you consider young?
    — In short, under the age of 31.
  4. Why the holding fee?
    — The fee is to add some accountability to the participants that cancel last minute. Simply put, if you show up to the shoot, I hand you your money back. If you cancel, giving me more than 48hr to find a replacement, I will give you your money back. Anything else, and I keep it unless you find an acceptable replacement.
  5. How many images will I get?
    — Everyone gets at least two (2); you may get more, but they will be given over an extended period and based on my discretion.
  6. Can I get the unedited images?
    — No. Also, please do not run any additional filters over images I send 🙂
NYC Commercial Portrait Photographer
Music, Portraits, Projects1 Comment

The Cool

“The Cool” is a portrait exploration conducted in the year 2017. The project focused on young professional musicians based in New York City. The project returned in 2019 but these original “Cool” kids will forever hold a special place in my heart. Everyone is named below, many have dropped new music over the last two years and are killing the scene. Take some time to give these guys and girls a listen.

THE MUSICIANS

Braxton Cook : Alto Saxophone
Adi Meyerson : Bass
David DiTapani : Trumpet
Wayne Tucker : Trumpet
Tatiana Ferrer : Violin
Dayramir Gonzalez : Piano

Tom Larsen : Guitar
Reuben Allen : Piano
Omer Leshem  : Tenor Saxophone
Naama Gheber : Vocal
Kelly Green : Piano & Vocal
Didi : Vocal

NYC Commercial Portrait Photographer
Music, Portraits, Projects1 Comment

The Cool ’19

“The Cool” is a portrait exploration that began in the year 2017. The project focused on young professional musicians based in New York City. The project returned for 2019 with shootings taking place in January/February. This iteration turned out to be the year of the Women. Check out the amazing musicians below.

THE MUSICIANS

Wen-Ting Wu : Drums
Jinjoo Yoo : Piano
Jacquelene Acevedo : Percussion
Alyson Murray : Vocalist
Noah Teachey : Violin/ Viola

Eunjung Jo : Double Bass
Bella J : Vocalist
Karle Alynne : Vocalist
Carissa Shockley : Vocal/Guitar

Music, Portraits, Projects

Wayne Tucker : “The Cool” 2017 alumni

Today is the much overdue addition of Wayne Tucker [@wayneeverest] to this feature series!! I first met Wayne in 2017 as a recommended participant in my “The Cool” series. A masterful trumpet player, singer, and songwriter, Waynes most recent album “Wake up and See the Sun” has his talents on full display. When you need a break from the artificial sounds that swarm the airwaves, “Wake up and See the Sun” is an easy recommendation. Also, if you’re craving that live music fix, just check out his profile @wayneeverestfor upcoming show dates 📆🔊🎹🎶 🎺

Also, check out “The Cool ’17” and “The Cool ’19” to see more of the participants.

Music, Portraits, Projects

Adi Meyerson : “The Cool” 2017 alumni

I’m excited to feature Bassist Adi Meyerson [@adibop]. Another member from the 2017 roster of “The Cool”, Adi continues to amaze me. Her debut album “Where We Stand” brings out all the feels and has a firm place in my rotation. If my words and her inclusion on  #JazzTimes Top 40 jazz Albums of 2018 isn’t motivation enough to give Adi and her band a listen, here’s a few more words from #BobDoerschuk via @Downbeat_mag. “Adi Meyerson’s skills on acoustic bass are deep, her chops strong. Her instincts are not to show off, but to enhance the music and the talents of her colleagues. Compositions on her debut are extraordinary.” [Full write up HERE]😲 🔊🎹🎶 🎻

Make sure to see Adi live. Visit her website for show dates.

Also, check out “The Cool ’17” and “The Cool ’19” to see more of the participants.

Product Photographers NYC
Music, Portraits, Projects

Dayramir Gonzalaz : “The Cool” 2017 alumni

With the restart of my “The Cool” portrait series, I’ll be shouting out a few from my first go around in 2017..➡️ Cuban pianist, Dayramir (DY-ruh-meer) Gonzalez was the first artist shot for the project and really provided a jolt of energy to an otherwise dud of a day.  The Havana born musician is a true showman and incredible musician. Dayramir’s first US solo release, “The Grand Concourse”, earned him a spot on JazzTimes.com Top 40 jazz Albums of 2018, as well as a 4.5/5 rating by Downbeat Magazine . Give @dayramirgonzalez  a follow and make sure to catch his show when he comes your way: Show Dates. In the meantime, you can find “The Grand Concourse” on your favorite streaming app! 🎹🎶

Also, check out “The Cool ’17” and “The Cool ’19” to see more of the participants.