Pat McAllister's Jazz Photos

Source: JAZZWAX BY MARC MYERS
August 23, 2012
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In the 1950s, JazzWax reader and painter Pat McAllister was in the right place at the right time. Back then, Pat was a teen living in Los Angeles and had the opportunity to see quite a few famous jazz artists perform. Fortunately he took along his camera. [Photo of Dave Brubeck by Pat McAllister]

Let Pat fill you in...

“Centuries ago, when I was in high school in Burbank, Calif., I went to poetry and jazz readings by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Kenneth Rexroth, Kenneth Patchen and others. During this time, I also managed to sneak into Bobby Troup's Stars of Jazz TV show and worked my way backstage at the Hollywood Bowl and a variety of jazz clubs. I always took along my camera.

“I was young and didn't have the best camera in the world, though I did do all my own darkroom work. At clubs, I'd nurse Cokes while watching Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans and others. I also was able to hear the Modern Jazz Quartet open for Count Basie, which I recall was a particularly great combination.

“In the late 1960s, while driving in Pasadena, I came upon Dave Brubeck at a three-way traffic signal. He rolled down his window and said he was lost and asked if could I direct him to Cal Tech. He was performing there that evening, which would turn out to be one of his last gigs with Paul Desmond. I attended and went backstage to talk to them. I saw Desmond running off through a darkened field trying to avoid people.

“Well, enough memories. I recently ran across some of my photos, and a friend, alto saxoponist Bill Lieske, urged me to send them to you so you could share them with your readers. So, here they are—out of focus and all..."

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This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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