Pat McAllister's Jazz Photos

August 23, 2012

Pat McAllister's Jazz Photos

In the 1950s, JazzWax reader and painter Pat McAllister was in the right place at the right time. Back then, Pat was a teen living in Los Angeles and had the opportunity to see quite a few famous jazz artists perform. Fortunately he took along his camera. [Photo of Dave Brubeck by Pat McAllister]

Let Pat fill you in...

"Centuries ago, when I was in high school in Burbank, Calif., I went to poetry and jazz readings by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Kenneth Rexroth, Kenneth Patchen and others. During this time, I also managed to sneak into Bobby Troup's Stars of Jazz TV show and worked my way backstage at the Hollywood Bowl and a variety of jazz clubs. I always took along my camera.

"I was young and didn't have the best camera in the world, though I did do all my own darkroom work. At clubs, I'd nurse Cokes while watching Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans and others. I also was able to hear the Modern Jazz Quartet open for Count Basie, which I recall was a particularly great combination.

"In the late 1960s, while driving in Pasadena, I came upon Dave Brubeck at a three-way traffic signal. He rolled down his window and said he was lost and asked if could I direct him to Cal Tech. He was performing there that evening, which would turn out to be one of his last gigs with Paul Desmond. I attended and went backstage to talk to them. I saw Desmond running off through a darkened field trying to avoid people.

"Well, enough memories. I recently ran across some of my photos, and a friend, alto saxophonist Bill Lieske, urged me to send them to you so you could share them with your readers. So, here they are—out of focus and all..."

Dave Brubeck with drummer Joe Morello on Bobby Troup's Stars of Jazz TV show in 1958...