About the Exhibit

Jeff Dunn - Jazz Photography - June 2 - 27, Argus Museum, Ann Arbor

I started photographing the Detroit jazz scene in 2014, not really knowing where it would lead—just following a deep love for the music and the people who make it. What began at local jam sessions—Cadieux Café, Bert’s, and Aretha’s Jazz Café at Music Hall—quickly grew into something more: a visual diary of sound, soul, and community. Many of the photos in this exhibit were taken as part of my ongoing work as the year-round photographer for the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation.

My fellow photographers will tell you: we love our photographs to tell the story. These are my stories.

But more than that, my goal is to support and celebrate the jazz scene itself. I want this work to help the music thrive—to shine a light on the musicians, lift up the venues that keep the doors open, and deepen the connection between the music and its audience. Jazz is alive in Detroit, and I hope these images play a small part in keeping it strong.

This exhibit is a collection of moments that moved me—quiet ones, explosive ones, and everything in between. It blends color and black & white images, and while Detroit is at the heart of it all, the photos also stretch out to places like New York and beyond. Each frame is a little slice of the music’s life, and mine alongside it.

Thanks for taking a look. I hope you can feel some of what I felt when I clicked the shutter.

For more about the exhibit: https://www.argusmuseum.org/argus-events/Jeff-Dunn


 

Rafael Lefar

with Wayne State Univ. Jazz Big Band
Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center, Wayne State University 10-24-2024

11 x 14 in.

On this evening, Rafael Leafar was a guest performer with the Wayne State University Jazz Big Band, under the direction of Professor Vincent Chandler, at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center.

Those who have seen Rafael perform in person understand what an intense, beautiful, and creative experience it is. We’re lucky to have him in our area—he’s a true artistic gem.


 

Dee Dee Bridgewater
2021 Artist-in-Residence

Dee Dee Bridgewater’s Club
Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center 4-7-2021
Photo courtesy of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. Jeff Dunn, photographer.

16 x 20 in.

This photo was taken during the annual Detroit Jazz Festival Press Preview Day, which was held as a livestream event due to COVID-19. The performance took place at the newly named "Dee Dee Bridgewater’s Club"—an intimate, jazz club–style venue with 120 seats. Dee Dee’s was only open for this one evening before it was shut down for construction, along with the Gretchen C. Valade Center.

I love photographing Dee Dee. There is SO much happening on that stage. Always colorful. Always interesting.

Performing during this performance was:

  • Dee Dee Bridgewater - vocals
  • Gayelynn McKinney - drums
  • Marion Hayden - bass
  • Sequoia Snyder - piano

Pharoah Sanders

Detroit Jazz Festival - 9-04-2020
Photo courtesy of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation.  Jeff Dunn, photographer.

16 x 20 in.
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This is probably the most special photo, to me, in the entire exhibit.

Pharoah Sanders, performing on (or near) his 80th birthday at the 2020 Detroit Jazz Festival. That was the year when, due to COVID-19, the entire festival was streamed with no live audience. There were just two rooms hosting a total of three stages. Only a handful of people were allowed in the room—camera operators, the stage manager, two or three reporters/photographers... and I was lucky enough to be one of them.

Pharoah’s performance was one of the first. The doors closed, the crew retreated to their stations, and Pharoah blew the first notes on his tenor saxophone. I knew what a special moment that was—I got goosebumps. Streaming may feel ordinary now, in 2025, but in 2020, it was groundbreaking. While most other festivals and performances around the world were canceled, the Detroit Jazz Festival pivoted and produced something truly remarkable.

This photo will always represent that unforgettable moment.

 


 

Martin Wind / Philip Catherine

BLU Jazz - Akron, Ohio - March 19, 2016

11 x 14 in.
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We’ve traveled many miles to connect with bassist Martin Wind—from performances at Western Michigan University, various clubs in New York, a Midwest tour, Miami, The Jazz Cruise, and many places in between. Why? He’s a great musician and a great friend.

We originally met at the 2008 Detroit Jazz Festival when Martin performed with Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts. I was already a fan, but this was the first time I saw him in person. He soon invited me to performances in Chicago, IL, and Dayton, OH, and later in New York City. We’ve been good friends ever since.

My wife, Ellen, and I traveled to Akron, Ohio, to catch up with Martin and jazz guitar legend Philip Catherine at BLU Jazz. It was quite an honor to meet Philip. I chose this photo because of the interaction and communication happening between the two.

Another fun adventure. I love road trips.

 


Cécile McLorin Salvant

Detroit Jazz Festival 9-4-2022
Photo courtesy of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation.  Jeff Dunn, photographer.

16 x 20 in.
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It was Day 3 of the Detroit Jazz Festival in 2022, and the final set at the JP Morgan Chase Stage. I was really tired, but I couldn’t miss Cécile McLorin Salvant—and I’m so glad I stayed. It was another in a long line of great performances by this true artist. There's nobody like her.


Marcus Elliot

Cliff Bell's Jazz Club, Detroit 1-26-2020

16 x 20 in.
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My guy. If you ever get the chance to see Marcus Elliot perform—do it. I’ve followed Marcus for several years and have witnessed countless performances. Many of them have been true standouts—and always different.

This photo was from a performance at Cliff Bell's in early 2020 (pre COVID!) billed as "Marcus Elliot and Friends" with:

Marcus Elliot - sax
Jacob Schwandt - guitar
Jonathan Muir-Cotton - bass
Louis Jones III - drums


Olivia Van Goor

Cliff Bell's, Detroit 2-27-2025

11 x 14 in. Black & White
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My son, Scott, and I went to Cliff Bell’s to hang out and watch vocalist Olivia Van Goor and her trio—and they knocked it out of the park! I’ve watched Olivia grow as a musician over the past several years, and every performance just gets better and better. I'm so happy for her. She’s not afraid of the word “work,” and it shows. She also takes that “Detroit mentoring” tradition very seriously—and I love that. It couldn’t happen to a better person.

I believe this photo captures the spirit of an Olivia Van Goor performance. Enjoy!

Musicians performing this night:
Olivia Van Goor - vocals
Mike Harrison - piano
Samuel Chase Harris - bass
David Zwolinski - drums

with special guest Reuben Stump, vocals


Bass Players for Black Composers

International Society of Bassists Convention - Ann Arbor 6-6-2023

16 x 20 in.
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Picking my favorite photo among them all is almost impossible—but this one is certainly a candidate.

I took it during the remarkable 2023 International Society of Bassists Convention, held at the University of Michigan. Thanks to my friend Martin Wind, I became the volunteer convention photographer, and I loved every single exhausting moment. What a fabulous week—I’ll never forget it.

This performance was part of a presentation by the organization Bass Players for Black Composers. During their set, there were three solo bass performances, all of them remarkable. Since it was a very small room and a solo performance, I had to be careful not to disturb the performer. Her aggressive posture, focused attack, and intensity made this my favorite photo of the week.

 

 


Billy Harper

Detroit Jazz Festival 2016 - 9-3-2016

11 x 14 in.
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I remember posting this photo to social media with the caption: “There’s cool. And then there’s Billy Harper cool.” My sentiments haven’t changed.

I’ve been a longtime Billy Harper fan. I think I hit this stage at the 2016 Detroit Jazz Festival and stayed there all day—mainly to be sure I could catch Billy Harper. Even though this was early in my jazz photography “career,” it still ranks among my personal favorites.

 


Ben Sharkey

w/ the Woodward Horns
Cliff Bell's 5-19-2016

16 x 20 in.
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I took this photo of vocalist Ben Sharkey very early in my photography career. What a fun night—Ben knows how to put on a show! And that always leads to great photo opportunities. I wasn’t quite ready as a photographer to fully take advantage of those moments, but I like how this black-and-white photo turned out.

Ben’s a good guy, too. I need to get back to one of his shows—soon!

 


Trunino Lowe

Cliff Bells - 12-19-2018

16 x 20 in.
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Trunino Lowe. A young, talented trumpet player—born and raised on Detroit’s Eastside (like me!). Trunino is a proud graduate of Detroit Public Schools (also like me!). I met Trunino when he was in high school and already active on the local Detroit jazz scene. His energy and dedication to the music are remarkable. And… he’s really fun, both on and off the stage.

Lately, he’s been commuting between Detroit and New York, running the late-night weekend jam sessions at Dizzy’s Club in NYC. His stellar performance at the 2023 Detroit Jazz Festival is still a highlight for me.

This black-and-white photo of Trunino on flugelhorn is from the Trunino Lowe Quartet performance at Cliff Bell’s in December 2018.

 

 


Chris Daddy Dave

Detroit Jazz Festival – 9-4-2021
Photo courtesy of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. Jeff Dunn, photographer.

11 x 14 in.
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Chris “Daddy” Dave performed with Keyon Harrold at the 2021 Detroit Jazz Festival, which was streamed without a live audience for the second year in a row due to COVID-19.

I chose this photo because I rarely get the chance to shoot a drum set like this! It was a cool performance, and you could really see Keyon Harrold connecting with the young musicians.

 


Rafael Leafar

Trinosophes, Detroit 9-15-2023 w/ Rod Williams

11 x 14 in.
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When Detroit-born pianist Rod Williams returns to visit, it’s a must-see gig for me. And it’s often at a really cool performance space called Trinosophes in Detroit—a wonderfully supportive venue for the arts.

This photo features Rafael Leafar on tenor (I think) saxophone. Rafael was off to the side and out of the main stage lighting, so I decided to go with the flow and capture a silhouette image.

 


Sky Covington

as Billie Holiday Schoolcraft College - 6-16-2024

11 x 14 in.
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Sky Covington has been producing unique and entertaining shows for several years now. One of her standout productions is the Satin Doll Revue. According to Sky’s bio, “The Satin Doll Revue offers a captivating journey through the remarkable legacy of the late, great women of jazz.” The revue pays tribute to jazz legends like Dinah Washington, Lena Horne, and others.

When Sky performs—as she is in this photo—she takes on the role of Billie Holiday.

This photo was taken at the Michigan Jazz Festival’s Father’s Day Brunch fundraiser at Schoolcraft College in Livonia in 2024.

 


Gene Dunlap Band

Blue Llama Jazz Club - 8-23-2024

11 x 14 in.
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I was sitting front and center at the Blue Llama Jazz Club that night, ready for some fun with the Gene Dunlap Band. It’s always a great time with this group. I chose this photo because of the energy and vibrant colors.

Ironically, the bandleader, Gene Dunlap, isn’t pictured—I was just a little too close!

Musicians:
Gene Dunlap - drums
Derrick Benford - keys
Al Duncan - keys
Caelin Amin - bass
Matt Callaway - guitar
Nick Stone - saxophones
Trenita Womack - percussion


Gregoire Maret

Carr Center - To Stevie with Love
Detroit School of Arts - Ford Auditorium 2-26-2022

11 x 14 in.

The Carr Center is a wonderful organization that is “dedicated to preserving, presenting, and developing African and African American arts traditions within a multicultural community.”

My first visit to the Carr Center was when they were located in Harmony Park. I knew right away they weren’t afraid to present adventurous programming—and I loved it. I’ve followed them as they’ve changed locations, and they’re now housed in their beautiful space at the Park Shelton Building.

This photo was taken at a concert held at the Detroit School of Arts – Ford Auditorium. The program’s theme was a tribute to the great Stevie Wonder: "To Stevie with Love." I’m not certain, but my guess is that jazz harmonica player Grégoire Maret is performing “Isn’t She Lovely.”

A little tidbit: I broke my “good” lens that night and had to shoot with a less-than-ideal backup. But the shot still works!

 


Kasan Belgrave

Bert's Marketplace 12-26-2019

16 x 20 in.

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Kasan Belgrave sitting in at Bert's on a Thursday night in Detroit.

About Kasan Belgrave(from the Kerrytown Concert House website):

Multi-woodwind-instrumentalist and Detroit native Kasan Belgrave holds a unique stance in the city as one of the young torchbearers of the Detroit jazz collective. His father, the late maestro trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, laid a foundation for him as he continues to carry on the legacy of Detroit jazz royalty.

I LOVE when Kasan is on the gig!

This particular evening was a very special night at Bert's! Local writer Matthew Shapiro and others correctly referred to it as a family reunion. Benny Rubin, Jr. was the evening's special guest with many all-star musicians hitting the stage,

RGB Trio (IGB Trio, this evening):
Bill Meyer - piano
Gayelynn McKinney - drums
Ibrahim Jones - bass

What a night

The legendary Bill Meyer Group jam session, now at the Cadieux Cafe in Detroit on Thursday nights, is the longest-running jam session in Detroit...currently in its 24th year.


4 Basses - Proportioned Orchestra

Detroit Jazz Festival - Jazz from the Cellar
Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center - Wayne State University
3-24-2025

Photo courtesy of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. Jeff Dunn, photographer.

16 x 20 in.
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Four string basses, piano, and drums. What? Well… you never know what Dr. Prof. Leonard King has in store for you. It’s always different—and always fun!

Ironically, the leader of the ensemble, Leonard King, isn’t pictured. As a photographer, I was lucky that the crew allowed me to pop onto the stage. It made for a very unique shot.

Pictured in this photo, left to right:
Rocco Popielarski
Samuel Chase Harris
Sam Copperman
Kenji Lee

Not pictured: Leonard King (drums) Eli Bucheit (piano)


Vince Abbracciante Nocturno

Detroit Jazz Festival - 9-1-2024
Photo courtesy of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. Jeff Dunn, photographer.

11 x 14 in.
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This may have been my favorite performance at the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival. Really? Solo accordion? Favorite? YES! It was a stunning display of creative musicianship. I wish I could have stayed for the entire set, but I had to move on to other stages.

Vince is a rising star of the accordion from Italy, and he joined us at the Detroit Jazz Festival through a collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago.

 


Jonathon Muir-Cotton, Brandon Woody

w/ Luther Allison Quartet - Blue Llama Jazz Club 2-22-2024

11 x 14 in.
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I’ve known and watched Ann Arbor–based Jonathon Muir-Cotton since he was in high school. He’s not only one of my favorite musicians but also one of my favorite people. It’s incredibly gratifying to see his career take off the way it has.

On this night, he was performing with the great Luther Allison Quartet—a stellar group that absolutely blew the roof off the place. I chose this photo for the exhibit because it clearly captures his intensity and focus.

What a great night.

Musicians:
Luther Allison - piano
Brandon Woody - trumpet
Jonathon Muir-Cotton - bass
Michael J. Reed - drums

 


Rodney Whitaker

Blue Llama Jazz Club - Ann Arbor, Michigan 2-2-2024

11 x 14 in.
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Rodney Whitaker is a legend around here. Not only is he a renowned jazz bassist, composer, educator, and recording artist from Detroit, but he’s also the Distinguished Professor of Jazz Bass and Director of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University. Many of the outstanding “young lions” on the local scene are MSU students, a testament to his influence. Rodney also performs regularly—and it’s always a great performance.

I don’t usually like too much magenta lighting on a subject and often try to counter it by adjusting my camera settings. But in this case, it works. I also love this photo because it captures a musician completely in the zone.

 


Dr. Alberto Nacif

Aguanko - Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe - 11-28-2018

11 x 14 in.

If you love latin jazz, you will LOVE Aguanko! And you will also love the band's leader, Dr. Alberto Nacif. Their concerts almost always feature original material, perfectly executed by these great Detroit musicians. Although on this particular night at the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, José "Pepe" Espinosa ( percussion) came to town from Miami!

On the gig this night:

Alberto Nacif - congas, percussion
José "Pepe" Espinosa - percussion
Pat Prouty - bass
Russ Miller - alto saxophone, flute
Chris Smith - trombone
Charlie Miller - trumpet
Rick Roe - piano


Eric Nachtrab

Signal Quartet - Blue Llama 11-15-2022

16 x 20 in.
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Eric Nachtrab is an Ann Arbor–based bassist and one of my favorite players on the scene. I especially enjoy his compositions, which are often featured in one of my favorite bands—The Signal Quartet.

I love taking photos at The Blue LLama for many reasons. One of them is the vibrant colors, which blend beautifully. On most nights, the lighting is just perfect. For this image, I experimented by converting it to black and white—and it changed everything. This has become one of my favorite photos.

 


Kerry Price

Michigan Jazz Festival Schoolcraft College - 7-21-2019

11 x 14 in.
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If you’re yearning for someone who can belt out some classic Bessie Smith-style blues, look no further than Kerry Price! She’s been performing in Ann Arbor and throughout Southeastern Michigan for many years.

Here, Kerry is playing a beautiful Steinway piano in the “Solo Piano Room” at the annual Michigan Jazz Festival at Schoolcraft College in Livonia. There’s nothing like hearing Kerry doing her thing.

 


Samara Joy

Celebrity Millennium - The Jazz Cruise 1-12-2023

16 x 20 in.
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Samara Joy is simply amazing. I’m not sure what else I can say. I’ve seen her perform numerous times, and every single performance is absolutely wonderful. And did I mention she’s a sweetheart, too?

This photo was taken aboard the Celebrity Millennium during The Jazz Cruise. If you ever get the chance to go on this very special cruise—do it! Over 100 of the best jazz musicians in the world are on board. It’s a full-ship charter dedicated to straight-ahead jazz. There’s nothing else like it.

This specific performance was with the cruise's big band called "Anita's Big Band", named after the founder of The Jazz Cruise. That's Ted Rosenthal on piano.

 

 


Noah Jackson

with Caili O'Doherty - Cliff Bell's 7-2-2022

11 x 14 in.

Musicians:
Caili O'Doherty - piano
Noah Jackson - bass
Cory Cox - drums

My wife, Ellen, and I met Caili and Cory while visiting New York in November 2021. When I heard Caili was booked at Cliff Bell's, I had to go. Noah Jackson, who was booking Cliff Bell's at the time, was also on the gig. He's a fabulous musician and a great guy—I love photographing him. I happened to capture him in an intense moment on stage.


Jim McCarty

with The Millionaires - Callahan's - 12-30-2017

11 x 14 in.
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One of my best friends, Bob Conner, used to front a band called The Millionaires. A tradition for the band was a December 30th gig at Callahan's Music Hall in Auburn Hills, Michigan—a wonderful venue that I truly miss.

On this particular evening, Detroit blues legend Jim McCarty sat in with the band for a couple of numbers, and that’s when I snapped this photo. I was still pretty new to photography at the time, and this was one of the few good shots I managed to capture during that era.

 


Betty-Alexandria Pride

with Tariq Gardner - Bert's 10-11-2017

11 x 14 in.
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I love when I venture out to a club to see a particular bandleader—and then someone unexpected shows up on the gig. That was the case here, when I saw Betty-Alexandria Pride performing with Tariq Gardner at Bert’s back in 2017. I don’t see Betty often enough. She has a unique approach and a beautiful voice.

This photo was Day 390 or my B&W Photo of the Day series that I started during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020-2021.

Musicians: Tariq Gardner (drums) Betty-Alexandria Pride (piano, vocals) Mohan Ritsema (bass) Stephen Grady (tenor saxophone)


Joan Belgrave

Charles Wright Museum - 12-19-2017

11 x 14 in.
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Joan Belgrave is a fabulous singer and entertainer. She can swing with a big band, belt out the blues, and channel that classic Motown sound. That was certainly the case when I took this picture. Her ensemble delivered a fantastic “Merry Christmas, Baby!” concert at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.

Performing at the concert were:
Joan Belgrave (vocals), Kirk Lightsey (piano), Djallo Djakate (drums), and Jaribu Shahid (bass).

 



Jesse Kramer

Michigan Jazz Festival
Schoolcraft College - 7-21-2019

11 x 14 in.
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Ann Arbor’s Jess Kramer rarely shows emotion outwardly when playing—but I love photographing him. I also love hearing him play. He’s a great drummer.

This photo was taken during the 2019 Michigan Jazz Festival at Schoolcraft College, where he performed with his excellent Roe-Bickley-Kramer Trio. The set took place in the outdoor tent. A black background—or a white one with natural light—can make for a very happy photographer.

 


Brandon Rose

Carr Center - Grand Opening Performance Studio 10-13-2022

11 x 14 in.
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When I take pictures, I’m drawn to subjects that are interesting, emotional, colorful—or just plain cool. With basist Brandon Rose, I almost always get “cool.” Here, he’s at the Carr Center for the grand opening of their Performance Studio in the Park Shelton Building in Detroit. Fun night!

 


Dance Lesson

Ya Salsa! Fundraiser for Greg Freeman 4-28-2019

11 x 14 in.

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We had never attended a Ya Salsa! event before. This one was a special fundraiser for musician Greg Freeman and brought out several Latin jazz bands in support of the cause. The program even included a dance lesson led by Mambo Marci!

I don’t photograph dancers very often, so I was glad to have the opportunity. As soon as I saw this dancer, I knew she was the one to focus on. It was absolutely beautiful to watch.

The bands playing at this fundraiser included Tumbao Bravo and LL7.


Corey Watkins

Wayne State Jazz Combos 11-21-2024
Gretchen C. Valade Center
Wayne State University, Detroit

11 x 14 in.

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This photo was taken at Wayne State University's Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center—a venue where I now capture the majority of my jazz-related photos.

As a retired Wayne State Warrior (after 47 years as a computer programmer), I make it a point to attend the university's jazz concerts. This particular performance featured the small groups and combos from the Winter 2024 semester. Corey and his bandmates sounded fantastic.

I love this close-up shot because of Corey’s eyes—either acknowledging me or giving me a death stare (hahaha). His sound is wonderful.


Abby Thibodeau

Wayne State Jazz Big Band Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center 10-24-2024

11 x 14 in.

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When a big band performs—like the Wayne State Jazz Big Band in this case—it can be tough to photograph the trombone section, as they’re usually positioned in the middle of the ensemble. For this photo, I was sitting in the front row of the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center and hadn’t planned on capturing the trombones from that angle. Then Abby Thibodeau stood up to take a solo, and I suddenly had a clear shot. It turned out pretty cool.


Marion Hayden

with Jeff Haas Quintet Blue Llama Jazz Club 11-30-2024

16 x 20 in.
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Marion Hayden is one of the best bassists in the world—and she’s right here in Detroit. She was awarded the prestigious Kresge Eminent Artist Prize for 2025. If Marion’s on the gig, you know it’s going to be a great night.

In this set, Marion performed with the wonderful Jeff Haas Quintet at Ann Arbor’s Blue LLama Jazz Club—one of my favorite places on Earth.

Musicians:

Jeff Haas - piano, leader
Marion Hayden - bass
Anthony Stanco - trumpet
Evan Kielty - tenor saxophone
Tariq Gardner - drums


Anastassiya Petrova

with Danilo Perez - One-World Jazz Orch, Blue Llama - 4-11-2024 -

Photo courtesy of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation, in collaboration with photographer Jeff Dunn.

11 x 14 in.
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April 9–11, 2024 was one of the busiest times I’ve ever had in my role as the year-round photographer for the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. Rehearsals, the Press Preview event, clinics, and more—it was non-stop. It all wrapped up at the Blue Llama in Ann Arbor with the One World Jazz Orchestra, led by Danilo Pérez. And what a sensational night it was.

The One World Jazz Orchestra was made up of jazz students from Berklee College of Music (Boston) and Wayne State University (Detroit). Berklee pianist Anastassiya Petrova is the subject of this photo. What a wonderful pianist—and person. I love shooting from this angle when photographing pianists at the Blue Llama. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I think this one worked!


Linda Hale

Detroit Jazz Workshop (Summer Jazz Week) - Cliff Bell's - 7-16-2018

11 x 14 in.
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I took this picture while shooting for the Detroit Jazz Workshop—a week-long summer program run by veteran Detroit musician, composer, and educator Scott Gwinnell. It's one of the highlights of the season. At the end of the workshop, students perform for friends and family at a local jazz club, showcasing their progress from the week. In 2018, that venue was Cliff Bell's.

The lighting at Cliff Bell's can sometimes be challenging, but it's also given me the setting for some of my most dramatic photos—especially in black and white. This photo of vocalist Linda Hale is one of my very favorites because it captures a moment. A moment of thought—maybe emotion.

 


Mike Karloff

Windsor Jazz Series - Mackenzie Hall Windsor, Ontario 3-2-2025

11 x 14 in.
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I'm a big Mike Karloff fan. A sensational pianist from Windsor, Ontario, his masterful playing spans many styles.

Jazz musician, promoter, and producer Hugh Leal invited me to photograph his wonderful Windsor Jazz Series. This photo was taken during a duo session featuring Mike Karloff and bassist Michael Palazzolo. If you know me, you know I love the duo setting—the openness, the exchange of ideas...improvisation at its best. I just happened to catch Mike in a reflective moment during soundcheck!

 

Jeff Dunn

Download BIO | Download Photo (.tiff)

Year-round photographer for the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation
Current member of the Michigan Jazz Festival Board of Directors
Retired Computer Programmer and Web Developer at Wayne State University

Jeff Dunn is a Detroit-based jazz photographer with a deep passion for capturing the energy, soul, and spontaneity of live jazz. A lifelong jazz enthusiast and active supporter of the Detroit jazz scene, Jeff has blended his love for music, photography, and technology to document the vibrancy of the genre and its artists.

Since 2018, Jeff has served as the year-round photographer for the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation, covering everything from intimate jam sessions and concerts to large-scale performances and educational outreach. During the COVID-impacted festivals of 2020 and 2021, his photography helped document the event as it adapted to unprecedented challenges.

Jeff's photographs have been featured in publications such as DownBeat, JazzTimes, the Detroit Free Press, and the Oakland Press, and he has collaborated with nationally renowned artists including Martin Wind, Ted Rosenthal, Paul Keller, Scott Robinson, and many others. Jeff also photographs concerts for Chamber Music Detroit.

A retired computer programmer and web developer from Wayne State University, Jeff now devotes his time to supporting jazz and its artists through his lens. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Michigan Jazz Festival in 2021. In 2023, he received the Robert E. McCabe Guardian Award from the Detroit Jazz Festival, which honors individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to preserving and advancing jazz in Detroit.

Jeff's photography is both a tribute to the music he loves and a celebration of the artists who bring it to life. His full jazz portfolio is available at jeffdunn.com/portfolio.

Full Online Photo Site.

Jeff Dunn

photo by Kumiko Hirama - Detroit Jazz Festival 2024

22900 Lingemann, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 | jeff@jeffdunn.com


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