Skyler Adams
Bob Willoughby, "Roy Eldridge performs at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles"
1950
Although Bob Willoughby became famous for his images capturing the essence of Hollywood and its stars, I consider his best work to be found in his collections of Jazz photography. I feel that these are his best images because he had a strong appreciation and love for the art form.
What initially drew me to this image was how the man, famous Jazz musician Roy Eldridge, stood out from the darkness in a brilliant white suite, as if he, like his music, was a beacon in the darkness. I love how empty the image first appears to be, as if Roy is playing his trumpet into an empty night sky with no audience in sight. As I peer at Roy from behind the curtain backstage I can't help but feel I am intruding on his private world. This is his moment in the spotlight, alone on stage performing what he loves for an unseen, unknown audience.
Jazz is full of powerful emotions and soul filled music, and to me this image shows that Jazz is just as much an experience for the performer as it is for the audience.
