You know how it is. You wait ages for a jazz photography exhibition in London. And then along come TWO. (Both the photographers have kindly allowed me to post these pictures. Please do not reproduce either of these images without their permission.)

Stan Tracey, 2008. Photo credit: William Ellis (Rock Archive Gallery 110 Islington High Street N1 8EG, 22nd April – 4th May)

Chet Baker, 1984. Photo credit: Tim Motion Richard Young Gallery, 4 Holland Street, W8 4LT, 4th May to 7th June)
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Apart from the Stan Tracey image above, William Ellis’s exhibition, entitled “Mavericks: Jazz Photographs, includes pictures of eg drummers Max Roach and Al Foster, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and… Miles.

The exhibition by Tim Motion, entitled “An Eye for Sound” will includes Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Bo Diddley, Slim Gaillard and Art Blakey.

Motion kindly wrote to me about his picture of Chet Baker: The Chet Baker photos were all taken at The Canteen in Great Queen Street in 1984. It was a fine but doomed adventure by an entrepreneur friend, Joe Bryan. There was always a good atmosphere. I think it lasted about two years.

The exhibitions sound really interesting, and they’re not on for long. I’m hoping to catch both.