|
b. Brandy Marvin, 1979, Myrtle Beach, SC My
first photography series was born out of the love I feel for the Mississippi Delta region. I was born and raised in the Deep
South and music has always been apart of my soul and consciousness. Fresh out of college with my degree in Art Education I
began working for The Dixon Gallery & Gardens in Memphis. My job was to coordinate and teach art lessons in underfunded
schools across Memphis, Northern Mississippi and Eastern Arkansas. I visited a new school every day, in 6 months I had taught
well over 11,500 students! Since my job was to travel the highways and back roads of Memphis, TN and Northern Mississippi
I stumbled onto many juke joints... the parents and locals started to brag about their wonderful local musicians and even
took me to a couple of shows... it was then I discovered Clarksdale, Mississippi and all that the Delta had to offer. I was
in love! That was the beginning of my first series, The American Delta. Since 2005 I have devoted my life and career to photography,
namely music photography. In 2006, my husband and
I moved to the Pacific Northwest. We lived in Seattle for 5 months and then discovered Portland, OR... after a 2 hour visit
we decided to move to Portland! But from the moment we left Memphis I was homesick and had no desire to take photographs.
I spent the next 2 years painting, I mostly focused on musicians once again and often drew from my Delta Photographs.
 |
 |
|
|
 In 2008, Djerek, my husband, took me to Jimmy Mak's jazz club for my 29th birthday, that one night
was the beginning of a new love affair! I watched in amazement as Mel Brown's Septet played, I saw Andre St. James' face emote
as he played passionate lines and I kept seeing photographs in my head, I finally had my inspiration back! I began what has
became a year long project of documenting Portland's Jazz Culture. I am nearing the end of researching, going to clubs, meeting
musicians and photographing them... I soon plan to compile the work into a book honoring the men and women of Portland's Jazz
scene and their passionate music. In keeping with
my gypsy-like nomadic ways, I am preparing to move to New England in September of 2009. I will take this time to seclude myself
to work steadily on the compilation of my work and submissions to publishers. My hope is to return to Portland when the book
is published and have a gallery opening of the photographs and unveiling of the book. It is a true celebration of Portland,
I hope to see you there! Once I make it back to
the East Coast, I am sure to be at every Boston and NYC jazz club I can, starting a new series I am sure!
|
|
|
|
|