TOMORROW Tommy Yoshizawa Jazz Photographs in 70's-80's

 

We are pleased to announce that Sara Japanese Pottery will present the third in a series of event to celebrate our 25th years anniversary.
This exhibition will feature the photographer, Tommy Yoshizawa.

Please come and join us for the artist reception TOMORROW 6 pm - 8 pm.
The artist will be happy to tell you the story behind the photographs.

* Open Hour *
April 11th, Fri.  10 am - 8 pm   Artist Reception  6pm - 8pm
April 12th, Sat. 12 pm - 6 pm
April 13th, Sun. Closed
April 14th, Fri.  10 am - 7 pm
April 15th, Fri.  10 am - 7 pm


This year Tommy is 65 year old, already one of my very long friends.
He has a slender frame, upturned eyes, and, for whatever reason, has always been popular among women.
In 1972, he came to New Jersey as an employee of Tokyo Kougaku and as a huge fan of jazz music.  At the time, John Coltrane had already passed away from this world. Tommy, a fan of jazz music, started frequenting small clubs and taking photos where other musicians gathered and performed.

When the New York Times wrote about a show at Slug's Saloon, Lee Morgan’s first show out of jail, Tommy quickly got his hands on tickets. He arrived early to the show and by chance the waitress from the Village Gate who knew Tommy was working that night at Slag Saloon. She recognized Tommy and sat him at the very front.

"I'm sure she had good intentions seating me in the very front, but the seats were too close.  It was no good.  The seats were too close and I couldn't take any photos.  So, I figured I'd come back tomorrow and take them.  I had tickets for the next day's show too."

That night he watched only the first set and went home without taking any photos. And that night, during a break on stage, Lee Morgan was shot and killed by his de facto wife.

"I couldn't do it.  Even though I had the chance, I couldn't take the picture."

Although this is how Tommy articulates that event, there in front of him is the picture.
While the musicians are playing they fall in a trance.  It is that instant that he wants to capture.
Once Miles Davis turned to Tommy and called to him, "Take my picture."  Miles posed for the shot and Tommy answered, "No," and did not press the shutter.

This is an exhibition of original prints by Tommy Yoshizawa, the photographer who does not press the shutter. They are the photos he took and the photos he developed.
An exhibition I would very much love for you all to see.