Hearing the news of Austin Peralta’s passing, at just 22, is beyond incomprehensible. At 13, Peralta had already established himself as a jazz pianist bearing the burden of comparisons to giants like McCoy Tyner. At 15, he was playing alongside giants like Ron Carter. This kid, from West Los Angeles, this progeny of a surfer-skate legacy, was off the charts fucking unbelievable. I first heard him at my cousin’s urging in 2008 (he went to high school with his daughter). I couldn’t believe what I was listening to. His cover of Tyner’s “Passion Dance” didn’t just honor the composition, it elevated it. Like that was even possible. I saw Peralta live only once. Playing to a room of 30 or so mostly friends and family at the old Jazz Bakery on a weeknight. That the world did not know this guy was beyond me. He had been a fixture in town, playing fairly often at the Blue Whale and other rooms. I did not know Austin or his family personally, but knew friends and players in his orbit and I’m probably older than the sum of most of his early trios. That he even existed in this sphere was musical proof of something bigger than us, and his loss evidence of our constant temporality. I kick myself for not getting out to more shows, to spreading the word of his amazing talent. While I didn’t follow Peralta’s work into electronica and his Flying Lotus collaboration (others can better speak to that), what I caught was a guy still a kid on the outside, mouth agape, eyes wide and joy spread all over his face as he intersected with other incredibly talented players. His right hand flying so high and hard it was borderline untethered and totally exciting. His playing danced. Words are really hollow here. We will never know what Austin could have been, where he would have gone next, how more years would shape him.  His passing is a reminder, an urgent one, to embrace jazz, nurture and support young talent and revel in music and artistic expression of all kinds. My heart goes out to the Peralta family, to his friends and fellow musicians reeling from his passing.

Touro Synagogue’s annual Jazzfest Shabbat service is a tradition that has featured the likes of Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and Jeremy Davenport over its 21 years. This year, John Boutte will grace the bima for this uniquely New Orleans gathering. Anyone who has heard John sing knows the beauty and soul his voice will bring to the service.

The event is commemorated by an illustrative interpretation of Jim Brock Photography’s image of Mr. Boutte by New Orleans artist Steven Sweet. The piece was commissioned by Touro Synagogue and features the singer dramatically set against a backdrop of the synagogue. The original source image was previously featured in the April 2011 USA Today print article, “New Orleans is back, and so is the talent”.

JazzFest Shabbat 2012

Jazzfest Shabbat is a very special event, bringing together Judaism, and the warmth and community of a Shabbat service, with the best in New Orleans music.  See Touro Synagogue JazzFest Shabbat 2012 for more information on the service and performance.

Jim Brock Photography is donating prints to raise funds for the Tipitina’s Foundation Instruments A Comin’ on April 30^th. Each year, Instruments A Comin’ (IAC) purchases instruments for school band programs in the greater New Orleans Area, and to date, has raised over $2.5 million for 75 schools. The 11^th Annual IAC features a stellar line up including Galactic, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, BIGI (Ivan Neville, George Porter, Jr., Ian Neville, and Russell Batiste), Honey Island Swamp Band, Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Anders Osborne, Brass-A-Holics, Johnny Vidacovich, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Mia Borders, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Donald Harrison & The T.I.P. Interns (and more). Other events include a silent auction, battle of the marching bands, walk and wall of fame induction ceremonies and more. In addition to the silent auction, items are available for bidding online now. If you believe in the City, have a love for the music and want to make a difference from wherever you are, please considering bidding. Two Jim Brock Photography prints are currently available for bidding, with more to be added.

Anders Osborne, 2011 – Instruments A Comin’ Auction 2012

Paul Sanchez Guitar, 2010 – Instruments A Comin’ Auction 2012

Prints are 16 x 24 on Type-C Kodak Endura paper and verso signed for authentication.

In a matter of days I will be making my annual pilgrimage to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the inspiration for much of my music photography.  To say it is a calling fails to describe just how strong the pull is both personally and as a photographer.  Check back as images and impressions from Jazzfest 2011 are added to the site and if you make it to the Fest, I’ll be in the pit and around the fairgrounds with a huge grin and saddled with gear.  More soon.

For more information on the Festival visit www.nojazzfest.com

Troy "Shorty" Andrews and "Big" Sam Williams, The Republic, New Orleans, 2010