Belgian born, Jos Knaepen, more commonly referred to as "The Jazzman," became interested in jazz at the age of seventeen, after purchasing his first LPs of Django Reinhart and Sidney Bechet in 1961. By the time he was 18, he was a regular attendee at the infamous Comblain La Tour where many jazz giants performed during their European tours. It was also during this period that his interest in photography began.
Not having the money to purchase sophisticated photo equipment, it took several years of dedicated saving to be able to call himself a serious photographer. His professional photographic career began in the early seventies after landing a job as a photo-journalist with Het Nieuwsblad, one of the largest newspapers in Belgium.
His interest in jazz also blossomed during these years and it was during the seventies when pirate radio was popping up all over Belgium. Jos began moonlighting as a DJ with his first radio show, Radio North Sea on Thursday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. "Pirate radio was really a wild thing in those days," said Jos. "Broadcasting from a van, we had to go from one place to another in order not to get caught. Between my photo assignments and radio show, I was always on the move."
Jos' photographic work continued during the early 1980s and his award-winning action photography was exhibited regularly throughout Belgium. By 1985, his professional photography career took a hiatus until 1990 when he began again, this time limiting his photography strictly to jazz, one of the great loves of his life.
Jos continues as a jazz DJ in Belgium and his stunning jazz photography can be seen on display at many jazz venues, in publications throughout Belgium and published worldwide on the Internet. His photos capture the real spirit of jazz, but go far deeper than simple photographic talent. It is the heart and soul of a 25-year jazz DJ, combined with the gift of vision, that captures a moment in time in the world of jazz.
Other Jos Knaepen Exhibits @ AAJ
Jazz Expressions, Vol 1
Jazz Expressions, Vol 2
Jazz Impressions, Vol 1
Jazz Impressions, Vol 2
All photos copyright © Jos Knaepen. All Rights Reserved.
Captions by Suzi Price
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Bennie WALLACE. Bennie stopped touring and performing for a number of years to concentrate on composing scores for movies, including "White Men Can't Jump". In 1997, when Joe Lovano was contracted to perform at the bi-annual, Public Belgian Radio's Jazz Middelheim Festival, Joe couldn't make it. He had sustained a foot injury during a concert in Scandinavia and was flown back to the U.S. for special medical attention. Bennie Wallace took his place onstage next to Tom Harrell and Mal Waldron. It was a genuine thrill to rediscover Bennie. |
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Abbey LINCOLN. Grande Dame du Jazz, Abbey Lincoln, is one of the few female vocalists of a bygone era that is still with us today. Together with the late Betty Carter, Abbey reinvented old standards and brought new life to them. She was the star performer at the 1997 Jazz Middelheim Festival, performing with her own trio with Marc Cary on piano. At the same festival, she surprised everyone with a special appearance with Brussels's-based Mal Waldron. The audience went wild! |
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Cedar WALTON. Try to imagine the sound of two grand pianos on stage, played by two marvelous pianists, Kenny Barron and Cedar Walton. Such was the case at Jazz Middleheim in 1995. The introverted style of Kenny Barron, combined with the extroverted and funky style of Cedar Walton transformed the theatre into audience heaven. It was obvious from the pleasant look on Walton's face, he was really enjoying the duo performance. |
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Brad MEHLDAU. When Brad Mehldau took the stage to accompany Toots Thielemans at the same 1995 Jazz Middelheim festival, the results were truly magical. When they started to play, the sensitive and melodic harmonica of Toots and the pearl-like sound of Brad's piano brought tears to everyone's eyes. |
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GREEN-McBRIDE-MALONE. From 1937 to 1945, the music of Nat King Cole with Cole on piano, Oscar Moore, guitar and Wesley Prince, bass has inspired jazz musicians around the world. Oscar Peterson walked in Nat's footsteps with Ray Brown, bass and Herb Ellis, guitar. More recently, Diana Krall pleasantly surprised jazz aficionados along with Russel Malone, guitar and Ben Wolfe, bass in her tribute album, "All For You." At the 1999 North Sea Jazz Festival, the Benny Green, Christian McBride and Russel Malone Trio once more recreated Nat's feeling and spirit, throwing the audience back 60 years to relive Nat's musical genius. |
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John SCOFIELD. Of all jazz guitarists, John Scofield is most probably the most prolific. |
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Stanley CLARKE. Whether on electric or double bass, jazz or any other music style, Stanley Clarke is a master. In 1995, at Maastricht Music Nights in Holland, Stanley gave a fantastic performance with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and guitar great, Al Di Meola. |
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Michel PORTAL. Since Astor Piazzola's death, few have reached the virtuosity of the South American bandoneon except perhaps, the French jazz musician Michel Portal. He is not only a virtuoso on the bandoneon, but a master of various reed instruments as well. Together with his fellow countryman, accordion player Richard Galliano, the enchanted the audience with a combination of Jazz and French musettes at Jazz a Liege in 1998. |
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Diana KRALL. The main event at the North Sea Jazz Festival 2000 was the concert performance of the Diana Krall Quartet. Miss Krall performs in the well-known "Nat Cole" layout, with piano, guitar and bass. but this time, drums were added to lend a bit of rhythm to the performance. |
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