In 1985, JoAnn Krivin and I began working together on the production of the "Jazz It Up" Jazz Festival concert series presented at the Willow Brook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey. The festival was a seven-day event and was immediately different than most jazz presentations because of the integration and addition of jazz photographs. The festival was an annual event for six years. We subsequently collaborated on numerous similar projects. JoAnn captured hundreds of special moments of our featured guest artists.
As my career embraces a deeper desire for composition, I often wonder how I can have the audacity to compose new music with all of the great music already available, but I do! How can JoAnn Krivin have the audacity to publish another jazz photo book? Aren't there enough songs and photos? I say, NO! There will always be room for more great music and great photos. Jazz music is a living music and is constantly moving and developing new artists. JoAnn's striking photos transcend the moment and capture the intimate identity of the artist. All of her works stand among the best. Her catalog includes not only the famous, but also those less legendary musicians, the "movers and shakers" who are the gate keepers of the tradition.
What always impressed me about JoAnn was her great respect for the artists and the easy rapport with them. Her photographs are eloquent and seem to capture the artist's personal space without intruding or invading that space. This I feel is what gives her photos such a unique quality. In all of her works one is drawn to repeated viewing.
JoAnn Krivin cares about how her photos are presented to the public as I do about presenting my music. We care about programming and presentation techniques, which are paramount to the success of the event. This necessary process will net a memorable involvement for the viewer and listener every time. All of her photos are authentic to the musical event. They possess a spontaneity that is refreshing. Her eye sees what most people don't or can't see at that moment. Three of my favorite shots are close-ups of saxophonist Clifford Jordan, valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, and bassist Peter Washington. Each photo captures these individuals in his "zone" of the moment for you to enjoy for years to come.
Rufus Reid