Sometimes I sing.
I let my voice be heard.
I sing my song.

I had the pleasure of having this photo taken of me last year when my friend, Valerie Troutt, was doing a recording session at Studio 1510 in West Oakland. Big thanks to David Ewell for hamming it up on the bass.

José James – vocals
Kris Bowers – keyboards
Takuya Kuroda – trumpet
Solomon Dorsey – bass
Nate Smith – drums

Soulful crooner José James returned to the Bay Area for two nights in December. He and his band put on a spectacular show at The New Parish in Oakland. José performed his current hits and also new music from his upcoming album.

As 2011 comes to a close, I want wish everyone a happy holiday season and all the best for 2012. This has been an incredible year of photography for me and I am expecting good things in the coming year.

Guitarist Terrence Brewer putting down a serious groove at the Grapes and Grooves event.

I was coming home after a concert and spotted this classic gem on the street. It is a 1970 Olds Cutlass aka “’70 Cuddy.” I could not resist taking a few shots.

Grassroots Composers Ensemble Live at EastSide Arts Alliance – April 2011 – They play great jazz every first Friday of the month.

Trumpeter Khalil Shaheed – Yoshi’s Oakland – April 2010

I have very pleased to announce that my two photos above received Merit Awards in the Visit Oakland 2011 Photo Contest. This is my second year winning so I am very honored. There are 32 winning photos selected from over 600 photos entered. The winning photos will be used to promote Oakland. You can see all the photos I submitted for this year’s contest, here. Big thanks to Visit Oakland!!!

One more rose from the Marcom Rose Garden in Oakland. I was trying out the Nikon 85mm f/1.8 over the weekend. I am really enjoying the lens and want to try out the 85mm f/1.4 lens next.

This rose was once beautiful but now it is withering away.
Even in its dying, there is beauty and dignity.

Cadillac Eldorado – circa 1976 or 77

Another tribute to one of the great land yachts of our time. You were truly stylin’ back in the day if you drove an Eldorado. I had a “play aunt” when I was growing up in Chicago who got a new Caddy every couple of years. Her last one was a Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, white on white with leather interior. It was a great car and she kept until it went onto car heaven.

I spotted this beauty near Lake Merritt looking weathered but still fighting the good fight.

Bobby Hutcherson – Tribute Concert for Khalil Shaheed @ Yoshi’s Oakland – 04/27/10