Blue Angels at Seafair 2007

August 4, 2007

I’ve noted elsewhere that Seattle is a city of festivals. A favorite festival for Seattle natives (which I am not) is Seafair, which has been around since the early 1950s. The festival includes a big downtown parade, hydroplane races, a performance by the Blue Angels and much more. The Blue Angels are the United States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron.

Invited by William and Esther Graf, Liis and I spent an afternoon on Lake Washington on the Esther William’s, the Graf’s 53-foot Chris Craft. Photographing the Blue Angels gave me a chance to try out a new Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 vibration reduction lens. The lens met the challenge of shooting speedily moving aircraft, at 200mm, from a boat in motion.

The following are my favorite three Blue Angels’ passes of the day:

Pass 1








Pass 2





Pass 3

Chris Bruch at Lawrimore Project

The Contemporary Art Council of the Seattle Art Museum enjoyed a private reception at Lawrimore Project gallery in Seattle, on August 1, 2007. Cris Bruch, the featured gallery artist, described and discussed his work with attendees. Ron Bruch (father of artist) & Allison South (wife of artist) Michael Darling & Paula McArdle Jack Kleinart, Chris Bruch & Layne Kleinart Susan Robb Marisa Sanchez Chris Bruch & Scott Lawrimore

Jazz Port Townsend - Day 7

July 28, 2007

Saturday afternoon’s festival performances opened with a band featuring Joe Locke (vibes), Chuck Deardorf (bass), Jon Wikan (drums) Bruce Forman (guitar) and Thomas Marriott (sax).



The big doors in McCurdy Pavilion were open for Saturday afternoon’s performances, hinting at the building’s original function as a military balloon hangar.


Roberta Gambarini (vocals) was next up. She was backed by John Clayton (bass), Joe LaBarbera (drums) and Tamir Hendelman (piano).






Closing out the afternoon session was the astonishing Gerald Wilson, leading the Festival All Star Big Band. Born in 1918, this big bandleader, composer, arranger, educator, multiple Grammy award winner and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master is a force of nature.











Last act at the 2007 edition of this deeply-satisfying festival was the Roy Hargrove band in the Saturday evening performance. Hargrove was joined by Justin Robinson (alto sax, flute), Gerald Clayton (piano), Montez Coleman (drums) and Danton Boiler (drums).








Until next year . . .