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

Jacky TERRASSON. Live at the "Jazz a Liege", Belgium festival this past May. His arrangement and rendition of the French national Anthem thrilled the audience.

Jorge ROSSY. When Brad Mehldau surprised the jazz aficionados with his "The Art of the Trio, Vol-1-" release in January 1997, Jorge was one of the members of this memorable trio. He has been part of the trio ever since. Here at the Marciac Jazz Festival early August 2002.

Makoto OZONE. In duet concert with Gary Burton at the North Sea Jazz Festival, July 2002.

Marcus MILLER. One of the most famous bass players around today. When he announced and played "So What" during his performance at this year's Marciac Festival the reminiscence of the late great Miles Davis was obvious.

Roberta GAMBARINI. Native Italian, where so many well known great vocalists have come from in the decades that lay behind us, she learned her art in the USA and she's without doubt one of the most promising female jazz vocalists in the business today. Jazz Brugge welcomed her heartily this summer.

Stefano Di BATTISTA. At the first ever held Blue Note Jazz Festival in Ghent, Belgium. July 2002. The crowd went wild and during some intimate moments of Stefano's playing, you could here a pin drop.

Terri Lynne CARRINGTON. Leading a quintet that makes one dreaming, that's how Teri Lynne Carrington appeared on stage at the Luchtbal, Antwerpen, Belgium concert hall.

Toots THIELEMANS. Belgium's premier jazz musician turned 80 this past April and he's still touring the world. One of the last survivors from an era when jazz became popular. When he's performing in your neighbourhood don't miss a concert. It'll probably be the experience of your life. Here he is photographed during one of his birthday celebration concerts in April 2002.

Wayne SHORTER. Artist in residence at the last North Jazz Festival. Shorter could be heard every single day of the three day's event. In different line-ups, from duet to big band and every hall was packed to the ceiling.

Wynton MARSALIS. Jazz in Marciac 2002 celebrated its 25th anniversary in August and Wynton Marsalis brought the entire Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra to the south west of France to join the celebration. They played from 9pm to 3am on August 9, and the crowd was begging for more.