John is an award-winning photographer specialising in live music and portrait photography. He lives in Durham and does work at several venues in the North East as well as nationally. He has also worked in iconic locations in New York, including Birdland Jazz Club and the Blue Note Jazz Club.
His aim with his photography is to convey the passion and feeling behind the music rather than just a straight capture of the event or gig. In his view, a great music photographer needs to be in love with the music and be able to anticipate and capture the expressive moments. Many of his images are captured in small clubs and he aims to convey the intimacy and connection with the audience that comes with that environment.
In May 2022, he won the Live Music category in the inaugural Abbey Road Music Photography Awards for his image of jazz drummer David Mrakpor.
John holds an Associateship with the Society of Photographers, awarded for a panel of his music photography work.
He has exhibited his work in a number of exhibitions in London and launched ‘The Space Between the Notes’ collection at the Guildford Jazz and Soul Festival in 2025.
John is bringing ‘The Space Between the Notes’ to the Durham Jazz Festival Gallery, at 25 High Street, Prince Bishops Centre, Durham, from 22nd May through to 25th October.
The collection features musicians captured ‘in the moment’ of performance at iconic jazz venues, including Birdland in NYC, the Jazz Café in London, the Spotted Cat in New Orleans and the Love Supreme Festival.
Alongside images of jazz legends such as Ron Carter and Billy Cobham, the collection has been updated to include a number of the artists performing at the Festival.
Entry to the exhibition is free. The displayed photographs are also available for sale. Please enquire at the Gallery desk for details.
