Archives for March 2007
B.B. King at The Paramount
Words cannot describe the feeling I get when I have the chance to document a performance by a blues legend like B.B. King. On February 18th, he brought his band to The Paramount Theater and did not disappoint! To anyone that plays guitar…….B.B. King is the master of making one single note sound better than most can do with twenty. This is the second time I have been given the opportunity to work with this legend and I hope there are more to come.
B. B. King’s music — born of his vision, worried into perfection over years of hard meticulous work — has shaped and colored the whole of the modern blues to the degree that virtually no performer of the music since his time has escaped the pull of its all-persuasive influence. He has become the single most popular and successful of all blues performers of modern times. The real foundation of his music, no less than his great success, has been the direct, earthy fundamentalism of the blues which he continues to perform with a brilliant, fervent “contemporaneity” of feeling as have few others.
B.B. King leaving the Theater.
Eli Cook opens for B.B. King
I want to take the time to give due recognition to my good friend, Eli Cook, who put on a wonderful performance at The Paramount Theater while opening for B. B. King. If you have a chance, take the time to see Eli and his band. They do not disappoint! On this particular evening, Eli took to the stage by himself and gave a memorable acoustic performance. I’ve had the disctinct pleasure to photograph two of his CD covers (Eli Cook LIVE & Ms. Blues’ Child). Check out his site by clicking here: Eli Cook
Irvin Mayfield at The Paramount
Founded in 2002, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra is more than just a jazz ensemble. Bringing together the forces of the city’s unique international reputation, the Orchestra has built a new model of Cajun jazz. Under the direction of jazz trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, the next musician to embody and represent the great New Orleans legacy, the Orchestra offers impeccable music to its audiences. Performing the works of masters Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, and many more, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra celebrates the heritage of this uniquely American music and its birthplace.
Mr. Mayfield played The Paramount Theater on March 13th. This is one of my favorite images from the show.
Lellie King
I had so much fun shooting Corie and Carrington’s first child, Lellie King. She is too cute, I just had to share a few pictures. More can be viewed at www.robgarland.com/lellie
Enjoy, Meg
WPJA’s Artistic Guild International Competition
I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of my friend, Justin Holcomb, and his beautiful bride, Lindsey Vardy. Today it was announced that this image was chosen for 10th place (Ceremony category) in the Wedding Photojournalism Association’s Artistic Guild international competition. This competition allows us to take an image and provide our own touches within Photoshop, finalizing our artistic vision. In the history of this competition, there are only ten Virginia photographers that have medaled. My associate, Meg Runion, and I have the honor of being two of them. You may view the results of the competition by clicking on the following link: Wedding Photojournalism Association’s Artistic Guild. I always enjoy this competition and the stunning results produced by photographers from all over the world.
The judges comments on this image are listed below:
1. A great moment and clean background bring this image to the forefront. Ceremonies can become long and somewhat moment-less (except the rings and kiss) but staying with the couple, throughout the ceremony, sometimes brings along gems like this one.
Moscow Festival Ballet – Sleeping Beauty
The great Moscow Festival Ballet’s performance of “Sleeping Beauty” made its way to The Paramount Theater. Founded in 1989 by Sergei Radchenko, legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, The Moscow Festival Ballet brings together the highest classical elements of Russia’s great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballets in an independent new company. Comprised of leading dancers from across the Russias, the Moscow Festival Ballet has completed multiple tours to Italy, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Turkey, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States. After researching the original choreography and staging of quintessential Marius Petipa ballets, Radchenko creates exciting new productions of timeless works, such as this stunning performance of Tchaikovsky’s classic Sleeping Beauty. All images were taken on March 9, 2007 in Charlottesville, Virginia by Rob Garland.
Momix Dance Theater
The Momix Dance Theater performance at The Paramount Theater was one of the most unique shows I have ever seen and it ranks as the single toughest event I have EVER photographed. First of all, the entire performance was done in “black light.” The image that you see above was shot during the show. The face in the background was lighting on the stage curtain and the dancer was lit from behind the curtain. If you have a chance to see them perform, “Lunar Sea,” I highly recommend going.
This image was taken during the encore of the performance.
Another image taken during the encore.
Glenn Miller Orchestra
Unfortunately, I was in New York City when the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra came to The Paramount Theater. Meg Runion kindly stepped in as house photographer for the night. This image hangs on the walls of the theater gallery.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg came to Charlottesville with 90 minutes of laughs at The Paramount Theater. We were given a total of two minutes to photograph this legend of stage and screen!
The Four Tops
Hanging out with The Four Tops backstage at The Paramount Theater.
My mom and dad, Hallie and Bob Garland, with Duke of The Four Tops
This is from our gallery show and is currently on display with 16 other prints for public viewing within the theater gallery.