10.3.17

Anthony Strong live at Casa da Musica, Porto - Portugal

The young Brit, composer, singer and pianist is considered one of the great talents of retro-contemporary jazz.

With his sharply tailored suit and easy charm, singer-pianist Anthony Strong seems to happily fill the role of ‘The English Gentleman’ often thrust upon him. His swaggering vocals and swinging piano style are matched by an energy that have entertained audiences at his live shows around the world.

Guaranteed! Was the name given to the debut album by pianist and singer Anthony Strong in 2009. Supported by BB King, the release of his EP Delovely, which reached # 1 on the UK jazz charts, caught the attention of the publishers At the beginning of 2012. In 2013 Strong signed a recording contract with the French label Naïve and, following the release of the album Stepping Out, featured front page of the French daily newspaper Le Figaro, with the album reaching number one on the charts ITunes and Amazon Jazz.

In this new visit to Porto, Anthony Strong proves once again his talent with the new "On a Clear Day"; A journey through her collection of classic and jazz-themed tracks, while visiting Stevie Wonder and Motown.

About Anthony Strong

One thing is sure: underneath the crowd-winning stage show, there is a seriously talented musician. The arrangements and orchestrations, up to full big band, were written by Strong himself. There are original compositions showing an appreciation of the jazz classics. His piano playing belies a deep knowledge of the swinging greats - Wynton Kelly, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans - and his vocals have further matured during the course of more than 150 international performances.

Anthony’s formative early years were spent, on scholarships, at 3 of England’s leading music schools, first studying classical music before, eventually, turning to jazz piano. The early obsessions with Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly eventually led to Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme and Nat King Cole; singing was the logical next step. Despite the stellar education, it was an out-of-the-blue offer to spend 9-months as understudy to Jerry Lee Lewis in a London West End musical that perhaps shaped his career most noticeably to where it is today, developing a stagecraft and audience rapport that has come to characterise his live show.

Since signing to iconic French label Naïve Records in 2013, he has been hailed by UK newspaper Metro as "a major new talent,” featured on the front page of daily national newspaper Le Figaro and performed live on national TV in Germany, Poland, Turkey & Portugal. His last album, Stepping Out, reached #1 on the US iTunes Jazz Charts and saw the radio giant NPR feature him in a special 60- minute feature programme from Hollywood. He has slowly but steadily built a touring capability that has so far reached 26 countries across 4 continents. The tour schedules speak for themselves and include, to name just a few, the 1,300 seat CCB in Lisbon, Istanbul’s Is Sanat Concert Hall, legendary French festival Jazz in Marciac, the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and Litchfield Festival in the USA.

Strong’s new album, On A Clear Day, is a statement of intent to continue doing what he does best. The repertoire is unashamedly ‘old school’ - from jazz standards and classics, through to early Stevie Wonder and Motown - a cross section of his personal record collection. There is nothing ‘old’ about the treatment of them though. The songs capture the fresh, positive and feel-good energy of his audience-winning tours. More than 20 musicians were involved in the making of this album with aim - in the words of Anthony himself - of giving the listener the “POW” they get when they see him perform live.

ULLI SCHMELING
CARLOS SOUZA
UPP TEAM EUROPE

9.3.17

How I Transitioned from a Musician to a Photographer



I’d love to give you some philosophical answers on how my photography connects to my music, but I can’t. Truthfully, I invested my time in photography almost in spite of music. Any musician who performs live has those dreams of “making it”, but the music industry is cold; everyone from the record executives to the club promoters. It’s all a business. I feel many of the creative industries are just that: industries.




Of course you have to have great content to stand out, but no one is looking at it artistically, they are just looking for ways to sell it. I know as artists, we have to play that game a little bit, because after all, who doesn’t want a career doing what they love? But I grew tired of the music game: there was too much stress and it became dull for me. So, for the time, I wanted to get away from it and express myself in other ways.

Now, to pull a complete 180, I guess you can tie music to photos into the shoots themselves. I love shooting to music, but I think it’s important to have the right playlist. Most of the music I’ve made over the years has either been in rock bands, or solo acoustic/indie rock stuff. Sometimes these genres can be good for shoots, but I’m really into either hip-hop (Ab-Soul, Run The Jewels, etc.) or vibey pop/indie/electro stuff (Phantogram is a great shoot band). The right music can bring out the best in any model.

I’ve always been pretty outgoing; I love meeting people and asking lots of questions. Even though I’ve always had a strong social circle, I was still having trouble expressing my “big feelings”. If I was feeling upset or depressed, I never felt like I could share that. If I was in love, I couldn’t articulate it verbally, but I could write a song about it. I create because I want to articulate what I’m feeling in the best way I know how. Sure, I would consider myself an extrovert, but when I write music or create a still image, I generally like to do so alone. I tend to bottle things up, so any platform for self-expression is always welcome.


I remember way back in the 8th grade, I was just learning to play guitar. At this point I wasn’t any good; I was bad. But I liked a girl, so I wrote her a song. Now I can’t remember the words or how the song went, but I remember I wrote out every single note I played (similar to guitar tabs), along with every word I sang, and I played it for her. It was a sweet moment; I don’t think I would’ve been able to have that conversation (at least not then) had I not had music as a tool for self-expression.

Aside from music & sound, I’ve always been inspired visually; no one ever asks me to recommend a good book. Before a band I was in left for tour, I snagged one of the Flip cameras (if you remember those) and took videos of everything. Between that and the cell phone pictures I took, we had tons of content. After that tour I became the visual media guy. Years passed, the band dissolved, and I was becoming increasingly more frustrated with the music business.


“Sure, I would consider myself an extrovert, but when I write music or create a still image, I generally like to do so alone. I tend to bottle things up, so any platform for self-expression is always welcome.”

Music was not fully satisfying my creative desire and I was running out of ways (and motivation) to express myself. A few years back, my girlfriend (now fiancé) lent me her Nikon D90, and I was in love all over again. I went all over Los Angeles just looking for things to take pictures of; if I was feeling down or moody, I would try to capture some lonely streets or the ocean at night, and if I was feeling social I would bring the camera to a party or event and just interact with people. At first, my friends got a little weird with my sticking a camera in their faces all the time, but once they saw themselves how I saw them, they understood.

Today I mostly take photos of people; friends, lovers, models, you name it. I like all the different stories people can tell. If you were to photograph the same person on two different days, or even two different hours, you might get very different results. I love that. Don’t get me wrong, landscape photography is beautiful, and I would love to spend more time learning it, but I’m just enamored with portrait photography.




This is where I may offend some folks. I got into doing portraits by just going to parties and events with my camera and taking fun, candid photos. Once I decided I wanted to try and take photography to “the next level” (whatever that means), I decided to take the easiest route I knew of: being an “Instagram Photographer”. I’m not sure if that phrase is commonplace or not, but it’s what I use t0 describe people who own a camera and have hot friends.

I understand getting hired for fashion shoots or look book shoots is just the nature of the job, but I wanted to make sure I was more than just a guy who takes pictures of attractive women. Honestly, I’ve been shooting less because of that decision. So, when anyone approaches me with the old “hey let’s shoot” I always look through the person’s photos, and ask myself, “How can I approach this subject differently?” In my experience, many of the models, especially on Instagram, have a pretty consistent look or style, and it’s fun for me to try and break that mold. Usually I get great feedback after the shoots, they appreciate the fresh take.



With music, if I had a specific thought or feeling, I can use different chord arrangements and strong lyrical content to say what I want to say, and let the audience feel it through the tone of the music. This is pretty straightforward, and the stuff I write isn’t too ambiguous, so it’s relatable. In photography, you have to capture and sum up any and all emotions (from yourself and the subject) into one, silent, still frame. On the surface, that seems way more difficult, and sometimes it can be, but I find it challenging and fascinating.


For example, if I want to create a somber mood in a song, I can use minor chords and down-tempo drums to create the mood. But in a photograph, there can be many ways to achieve this; maybe I play with the shadows to create the vibe I want, or play with light placement. The subject can be holding something or sitting a certain way to get the desired mood. You can crank the ISO (or add grain in post) to add some grit to the photo. You can even frame the photo a certain way to make the viewer feel differently. The possibilities go on and on.

So how do I approach gigs? I go with my gut. When someone approaches me for a modeling or fashion shoot, I listen to the tone of their message, and I check out their other work and see if it’s something I want to put my name on. I also make sure it’s not trade for portfolio work (TFP), I’m pretty tired of that. I don’t think I have a very traditional style, maybe it’s an acquired taste, but the people who do reach out usually do so because they like my work and want the same feel. Only once did I have someone ask me to go full on Barbie doll and totally airbrush and Photoshop everything; I politely declined the work. I think it’s important that people be (at least a little) authentic.


My absolute favorite shots are the moments in between; all the subtleties and “real” expressions the subject shows when they think we aren’t shooting or posing. I always keep my camera ready, because those moments are fleeting, but they are the best representations of the person.

2.3.17

UNITED PHOTO PRESS LIVE AT ART FAIR MÁLAGA 2017. JUNE 30 | JULY 2.

United Photo Press will be representing "FACES" by his artists & guests.
Art Fair Málaga '17 is presented as an opportunity for those self-represented artists who wish to make visible their work in the national and international art market furthermore to the galleries that seek the consolidation and to enter by themselves in the international art fair agenda, in a space that proposes to break down the invisible barriers between the galleries and the new collectors.

With a space of 6.000 squares meters for exhibitions and which can also house more than 400 artists, Art Fair Málaga '17 will become the second largest Art Fair in Spain, a benchmark that will ensure the quality standards of an International Art Fair at the same time that will grant greater value and innovation, thanks to a program of talks, conferences, live painting, and recreational activities.

A space where it is possible to establish a direct contact network between artists, galleries, and the public, promoting a new culture of collecting, without intermediaries, and recovering the old concept of Fair as a trade market place.

United Photo Press will be representing "FACES" by his artists & guests.
DISCOVER MÁLAGA, THE FASHION CITY BY UNITED PHOTO PRESS! (click here please) 

Malaga, which has always been synonymous with sun and beach, expands its meaning thanks to its cultural and gastronomic development. Today, Malaga is sun and beach, but also monumental heritage, culture and cuisine. Tradition mixes with modernity, so that residents and visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities at any time of the year.

The great city fair, La Feria de Málaga, is fun and pure enjoyment. The historic streets fill with sounds and smells that incite the palate to enjoy a good wine, together with delicious and original tapas, surrounded by the colour and light of the beautiful women showing off their ruffled dresses and the handsome riders who become one with their elegant horses.

The grandeur of its Holy Week, religious images are carried around the streets by those who feel devotion to them. At the sound of drum beats, typical songs like saetas and silencios sprout tears of emotion in their wake.

All year round, culture can be found around us, in its museums as well as outside, in theatres as well as at the cinema. The city hosts the Malaga Film Festival, attracting big names in the sector, actors, directors …

The charm and allure of Malaga has evolved over three thousand years of history. Originally founded by the Phoenicians, the city retains influences from the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Muslim dynasties and finally the Christians. Malaga is the gateway for exploring the Costa del Sol and the inland areas of Andalucia. Sheltered by the Montes de Malaga, the city enjoys the warmest winters in Europe.

The rich artistic heritage gives Malaga a strong cultural attraction in addition to excellent local cuisine and fascinating monuments from Moorish and Roman times through to the modern day.

Malaga is the birthplace of Picasso and the opening of the Picasso Museum in 2003 triggered the city’s cultural rebirth. The city has more museums than any other city in Andalucia and learn about the city through the origins of wine at the Wine Museum, its social history and customs, from the collection of 19th century paintings at the new Carmen Thyssen museum and its famous local personalities such as the painter Felix Revello del Toro.

Great historical monuments include the imposing Baroque Cathedral, popularly known as “La Manquita” (One Armed Woman) and the newly restored Roman Amphitheatre. High on the hill is the Parador (state run hotel), which is situated in the Glbaralfaro Castle.

Malaga is ideal starting point for exploring the rich topography of inland Andalucia and the Costa del Sol.

Sea breezes from the Mediterranean coastline regulate the summer heat to a more comfortable level than the inland Andalusian towns, while the Malaga Mountains form the perfect barrier to protect the city from colder winter weather. However it is still hot in summer, average temperature in July and August is 30 degrees centigrade, though mild between December to February around 15 degrees centigrade. some much needed rainfall is to be expected in the cooler months, but does not last for long.


Finally, United Photo Press invite you to discover the rich and varied cuisine.

Restaurants of the highest reputation, awarded with renowned prizes; charming old wine taverns, tapas bars and much more that only the palate can accurately describe.

FACES EXHIBITIONS WAITING FOR YOU IN MÁLAGA...!
ART FAIR MÁLAGA JUNE JULY 2017

KIND REGARDS
CARLOS ALVES DE SOUSA
PRESIDENT OF UNITED PHOTO PRESS
www.unitedphotopress.com
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)