Get ready to swing back to the bygone era of jazz at Chandler Museum's latest exhibition, 'Shutter and Sound: The Jazz Photography of Bob Willoughby', on display from April 6 to May 26. Showcasing soulful shots of jazz legends from Ella Fitzgerald to Miles Davis, Willoughby's lens captured the intimate moments of jazz icons in full swing. This visual jam session is free for the public and coincides with the Chandler Jazz Festival, ideal for seasoned fans or those new to the scene.
Back in the 1950s, jazz wasn't just background music; it was the heartbeat of a generation - and nowhere more so than in Los Angeles. The West Coast presented a jazz flavor unique unto itself, often credited as the precursor to today's 'smooth jazz.' According to Chandler Museum, L.A.'s laid-back vibe was a melting pot of relaxed tunes and lightning-fast riffs.
The 'Shutter and Sound' exhibition is a testament to the time when music wasn't just heard but felt. Bob Willoughby, who would later make waves with his Hollywood actor snapshots, began by immortalizing the likes of Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, and Frank Sinatra in atmospheric images that vibrate with musical energy. Of Willoughby, jazz pianist Dave Brubeck remarked, "he not only had a good eye, he had a keen ear, and seemed to know when to snap at an inspired moment," according to Chandler Museum.
Beyond the visual feast, Chandler Museum is offering related programs including the Art Tots Musical Art and C-Town Suitcase Club Jazz sessions for the kiddos, and for the grown-ups, a 'Jazz on the Move Concert' featuring Beth & Jazz Con Alma. Located at 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, the museum gives guests the chance the experience the vivid history and culture of their community through innovative exhibitions like 'Shutter and Sound.' Details on these programs and more can be found on the museum's website or by calling 480-782-2717.
If you're itching for a cultural trip down memory lane or looking to introduce your ears to finer tunes, make sure to catch this exhibition. 'Shutter and Sound' doesn't just put Willoughby's striking jazz photographs in the spotlight; it celebrates a musical era that continues to echo through the ages. As Chandler Museum puts it, it's an "enduring" homage to the symphony of jazz as both an art form and a historical narrative - don't miss the beat.
