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Bobby Roebuck with his artwork at SECCA.
April is Jazz Appreciation Month. Jazz and blues music originated in the Deep South at the end of the 19th century. Blues music came from African American communities, from work songs, spirits, and field chants and shouts. Jazz is a musical genre that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in the blues and ragtime style of piano playing.
Bobby Roebuck is a jazz photographer with a unique artistic vision. He is a creative photographer who strives to capture the essence of moments to be etched in memories for a lifetime. Bobby harnesses his natural talent as a visual artist and uses his ability to manipulate light to bring out the true beauty in his subject.
Bobby shoots jazz concerts and is always fascinated by the ability of dynamic musicians to bring beautiful melodies to the listener's ears. He becomes energetic along the photographer's pit as he holds each performer's expression and maneuvers into the correct position to secure the incredible expressions that appear in every face.
Eight of Bobby's portraits are on display at SECCA, highlighting all jazz musicians, in celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month in April, as well as Women's History Month, which ended in March. The exhibition called "Jazz High Heels" highlights women in jazz: flautist Althea Rainey; saxophonist Jasmine Ghent; saxophonist Janet Harris; goalkeeper Andrea Lisa; saxophonist Mindy Apper; violinist Chelsea Green; saxophonist Laquisia Benjamin; and flautist Kim Scott.
SECCA's Southern Idiom gallery series was launched in 2017 as a platform to advance and celebrate the work of Winston Salem artists. Unlike many exhibits at SECCA, the works on display at Southern Idiom are available for purchase. The Bobby Roebuck Gallery is the 26th installment of the series, featuring alumni Sharon Harden, Terry Doyle Dennis, Ashley Johnson, Frank Campion, Mona Wu, Owens Daniels, Jessica Singerman, Leo Roker, Kevin Calhoun, Paul Travis Phillips, Laura Lashley, Sam" The Dot Man" Macmillan et al.
Nearly 50 people attended the opening reception on Saturday 9 April, with enthusiasm and verve while watching the exhibition. Guide and artist, Jerry Haynes, was quoted as saying, "Bobby's art is an expression of itself by bringing out the artist's heart and soul." He described Bobby as a "Renaissance man," which means he goes the extra mile to make sure the viewer feels the musician's energy on stage.
Owens Daniels, a local friend, artist and photographer, who also sparked his interest in the exhibition, stated, “Bobby is known for his unforgettable Downtown Jazz Fest posts on Facebook and other social media. Bobby embodies the essence of musicians. You can literally see the expressions in the artist's eyes, and during Watching the piece you can get the rhythm of the toe and the chewing of the fingers. The two-dimensional lighting and the position of the monitored camera help to enter a magical place."
Bobby shared the exhibition audience: “As a photographer, my goal is to capture the expressions of the moment in the faces of the person being photographed. Each expression enhances energy, experience and love for music. The person who sees my picture should feel like they are along the stage witnessing the show or concert. By using Stage lighting or my personal production lighting, lights add shadows that dramatize the face, hands, or tapping rhythm, helping to define the timing of the music. Music and lighting bring the stage to life...and that's what I want to communicate to the viewer."
The exhibition will run until May 8. SECCA is located at 750 Marguerite Drive in Winston-Salem. Come and experience the jazz high heels of photographer Bobby Roebuck. Submission is free.
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