Café Royal Books is an independent publisher of a wide range of documentary photography, the emphasis on social and cultural aspects of life. Each of its books stands on its own, giving a glimpse into a specific area, but forms part of a total archive, from film and fashion to social and political history – all corners of society.
Those fortunate enough to visit Val Wilmer’s exhibition at the WWW Gallery in London last autumn may have picked up a copy of Deep Blues 1960-88, also published in this series. American Drummers 1959-88 is a follow-up. As usual, there is an intimacy and humanity in her photographs, whether the subjects are at their kit, working, setting up, rehearsing or simply relaxing, and this closeness reflects the esteem in which she has been held by the jazz community.
The earliest is of Basie’s drummer, Sonny Payne, at Croydon in 1959, probably at a rehearsal – the clues are the isolated bass drum pedal and the drum case used as a seat. Of course, things were more casual then.
Some show the players’ obvious enjoyment – Billy Higgins at the Red Garter, Kenny Clarke at the BBC, Dave Oxley at Preservation Hall. Others are studies in deep concentration, such as Tony Williams at Jazz Expo ’67 or Shannon Jackson at Soundscape.
The informality and detail surrounding the subjects suggest an intriguing back-story – a bent street sign and broken blind, the shabby interior of Preservation Hall, the cracked pavements and local shops of Sheridan Square, Dennis Charles on a practice pad.
Often, her work focuses on camaraderie, so we have Zutty Singleton outside a New York bar with Ben Webster, Charles Williams and Ed Blackwell on the steps of a Harlem tenement, Jo Jones and Oliver Jackson chatting in the Percussion Center on 8th Avenue. There’s even Jimi Hendrix on a kit at a Royal Albert Hall soundcheck. (He’d been snapped doing this before, at Monterey.)
This collection is a further tantalising dip into Wilmer’s extensive work. Let’s hope it’s one of many more volumes to come.
Val Wilmer: American Drummers 1959-1988. Café Royal Books. ISBN 2752-5619
