Jim Brock Photography

05/24/2026

Stanley Clarke's vision for a new international jazz festival in Santa Monica had been percolating for a few years. A few weeks ago it was fully realized. And then some. Jim Brock Photography covered the Friday and Saturday performances including a sublime evening honoring the centennial of John Coltrane at the Broad Stage featuring Lakecia Benjamin, Isaiah Collier and "Tenor Madness", and an ocean breeze accompaniment to sets from Sam Smylie, Miles Electric Band, Stanley Clarke with some rather special friends, and Kamasi Washington.

May 8-9, 2026 This post also appears in Just Jazz Magazine. Los Angeles County is home to 88 individual incorporated cities, and it is having a jazz moment. With the Blue Note coming up on its first full year in Hollywood, and so many other rooms buzzing, something has quietly been brewing with the....

05/17/2026

Beyond saddened and still not able to process the sudden passing of such a beautiful human being and brilliant trombonist, Ryan Porter. I didn't know Ryan well, but you didn't have to know him long to get his grounded and generous spirit, his absolute love for the music, whether in the community with younger players, or on the biggest stages in the world. He was always the same dude with a huge smile and grateful attitude. This is a staggering loss around here. Feeling so much love for his family, friends and bandmates since childhood, a musical bond deeper than the flesh.

12/30/2025

A look back at a rough year with a brilliant soundtrack. Whatever was thrown at us, the music never wavered. This is what my lens caught and what I felt along the way.

December 30, 2025 Let’s just kick the elephant out the door and say that 2025 was, to say the least, a very rough year. From the get go, when the lowest of humanity barreled down Bourbon Street killing 14 on New Year’s Day, to the Palisades Fire nearly taking down our home (and the survivor’s ...