AD-2009: In the Spirit
Yesterday I went to an exhibition of Michael P. Smith’s photography In the Spirit at the Historic New Orleans Collection on Royal Street. It is an absolutely free exhibition of only few works by this great photographer from New Orleans who passed away last autumn. My hosts – Mike and Larry knew Michael and his family well and have quite a few of his pictures in the house.
Most showcased photographs are black & white, with only a few colour shots. They reflect the most common themes in Michael’s art – local life in New Orleans, jazz fests and jazz funerals. Several pictures were taken at the Tipitina’s – a bar Michael opened with his friends, where many world-famous local musicians performed. There were also a few Cuban shots and some memorabilia. Visitors can also watch a film about Michael P. Smith in another room.
Here’s one of the most famous pictures, a portrait of young Troy Andrews “Trombone Shorty” (I saw him at the Satchmo Summerfest in 2005 as a young man already).
