A Harold Feinstein update.

Wonderful news about my friend, Harold Feinstein. Harold’s black and white and color photographs are currently on exhibit at the Panopticon Gallery in Boston. On display are a wide variety of Harold’s images. The exhibition includes photos Harold took as a GI in Korea, his black and white images of Coney Island, as well as a number of his intensely colorful images of flowers and butterflies. This amazing exhibition is scheduled to run in the gallery until January 12^th, 2010. You can see many more of Harold’s images here, but I would suggest that you visit the gallery to view the prints in person. The trip is well worth the effort. The photos below were taken on Thursday, November 19^th, 2009 at the opening of the exhibition.

Harold speaks with a guest at his opening at the Panopticon Gallery.
Harold signs a book for a fan.
Tony Decaneas entertains a young gallery guest.
The gallery is crowded with Harold’s friends and fans.
Tony addresses the after opening dinner guests.

An old friend creates a fantastic new world.

I recently reconnected with an old friend, Chris Lashua, on Facebook. Chris worked with me many years ago at my agency and has gone on to have a highly successful career as a member of Cirque du Soleil and founder of Cirque Mechanics. That’s Chris on stage with one of the amazing machines he created for his new production, Birdhouse Factory.

His troupe is touring the Northeast and I was fortunate to see the show in Portsmouth. In his director’s note, Chris states that Birdhouse Factory was inspired by the masterful industry murals of Mexican-born artist Diego Rivera, the outrageous illustrations of cartoonist Rube Goldberg and the slap-stick humor of Charlie Chaplin’s film Modern Times.” While its inspirations make Birdhouse Factory artful, nostalgic and funny, the essence of the show comes from the circus.

The New York Times calls the show “exceptional, evocative, eye-catching, ear-catching and, to keep this list short, engrossingly entertaining.” I couldn’t agree more. Congratulations Chris on a very, very inspirational production.

A New England fall pig roast.

The leaves are falling, there is a chill in the air, and two hundred and twenty pounds of pork (the pig of course) is being roasted on the lawn.

A new way of working.

Another example from my ongoing series “a new way of working”.

Along the top and right side of the collage are photographs I took at Southern Decadence in New Orleans.

“Goodnight, Allston!!!”

The end of an era? Perhaps.
On July 26^th, The Fabulous Wingtips performed on stage at the Wonder Bar in Allston for the first time in ten years. Over 100 friends and family attended the combined fundraiser for Toys for Tots and Jim Fitts 60^th birthday party. Due to the generosity of the people who attended, the marines left with mounds of toys and cash. Many more photos of the event are on the The Fabulous Wingtips blog.

Photos courtesy Jim casey

Jean Germain – Jazz from Row Six.

Great jazz and great jazz photographs.

I’ve known Wendy and her mother Jean Germain since the 1970s. A couple of years ago, on a trip to Boston, Jean’s shared with me her jazz photographs. I was impressed by the quality of the images as well as the very interesting the story of how they came to be made. Fortunately, the images have recently been published in hardcover book form. I suggest that if you are a fan of classic jazz, this book is for you.

Jazz From Row Six: Photographs 1981 – 2007
Jean Germain, photographer/author
Forward by world-renowned pianist, composer arranger Dick Hyman
96-page, 9.5 x 12 book black & white and color photographs of more than 60 jazz musicians.

Rarely does a photographer get an opportunity to follow subjects over an extended period of time. Yet, year-after-year from 1981 to 2007, confined to her seat in row 6, not allowed to use flash, or a tripod, photographer Jean Germain pushed technical and creative limits in order to capture performances by legends of the big band era.   When there was not enough stage lighting, Germain pushed the 3200 ASA film, and when she could not hold the camera still enough, she used cokin filters to produce the illusions of movement.

This body of work warmly portrays many of the musicians in their 80s and 90s “playing out” the remainder of their lives with tremendous passion and joy. She was also able to grab some tender moments when the legends were playing with and mentoring the “kids” like John Pizzarelli, Diana Krall, Howard Alden and Byron Stripling.

Jazz From Row Six: Photographs 1981 – 2007 received a Next Generation Indie Book gold medal for best Entertainment/Pop Culture book and finalist for best Coffee Table Book. Jazz From Row Six is available on line at:  Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and eCampus.

Image: Jean Germain, John Lamb (the cover of the book) and Clark Terry.

Harold Feinstein on Big RED & Shiny.

Jason Landry, a Boston based photographer and writer, interviewed my friend Harold Feinstein for Big RED & Shiny. For those who aren’t familiar with the website, Big RED & Shiny is an online forum for criticism, discussion and promotion of the arts in New England. I was privileged to be there when Jason interviewed Harold and I think you will find it very interesting. Click HERE to read the interview.

You can also see more of Harold and his work on his Facebook page.

A smelly reminder of the Wingtips Toe Jam World tour.

The two photos on the right are the front and back of a Wingtips Toe Jam World Tour t-shirt. It dates from some time in the 80’s or early 90’s. The center photo is the front of the t-shirt and the photo on the right is the back. It lists the world-class venues the band played at that time. They are Marshfield-by the Sea, Don Bosco High School, The Malloy Road Race, The Museum of Science Parking Lot Roof, Jason’s, Spit, Foxboro JayCees, NEBA Break-up Party, Sullivan Stadium Club House, The 57, RISD in the Barn, East Providence VFW Post 599, and the HBM/Creamer Summer Outing.

The info on the reunion event is here.

Photos courtesy of Jim Casey

Two Harold Feinstein portfolios are now on Facebook.

Now you can see why I am such a fan of Harold’s work. A number of photos from two of Harold’s portfolios are posted on Facebook. The portfolios are Draftee and Coney Island. Be sure and friend Harold.

Anyone interested in purchasing Harold’s photographs can contact Tony at the Panopticon Gallery of Photography.

Fitts turns 60 – not necessarily gracefully.

In 1972 I landed a job in an advertising agency in Providence, Rhode Island. It was not a great job, but that doesn’t matter. It was while I was working at the agency that I was shanghaied into playing guitar with a disorderly group of musicians (I am being generous) that didn’t perform well but drank beer and smoked pot expertly. Over a period of several years the band (I am no longer being generous) began to play with a level of occasional professionalism and garner a surprising number of fans. 

As a treat to myself, every ten years I attempt to reunite the original members of the band – The Fabulous Wingtips – to help celebrate my turning another decade older. This July I turn 60 years old and the surviving Tips will come together for an afternoon of music and story. If you have ever been a Tip, or a Tip fan, or just want to see several old men playing three-chord rock and enjoy a beer, come along. 

Details are below or visit the Fabulous Wingtips blog here. 

Sunday, July 26th, 2009 
The Wonder Bar 
186 Harvard Ave 
Allston, MA 02134 
Noon to 5pm. 
A Toys for Tots event – bring a toy.