The Photographs of Giovanni Piesco: Johnny Griffin and Von Freeman

November 7th, 2024

…..The Naples, Italy native Giovanni Piesco is an Amsterdam-based photographer who since 1985 has taken photographs of the famous and the unknown, in places and in ritual, consistently demonstrating a flair for capturing the essence of human character.

…..Among his passions is jazz music and the musicians who create it. Beginning in 1990, Giovanni began taking backstage photographs of many of the great musicians who played in Amsterdam’s Bimhuis, that city’s main jazz venue which is considered one of the finest in the world.

…..Jerry Jazz Musician will occasionally publish portraits of jazz musicians that Giovanni has taken over the years. This edition is of saxophonists Johnny Griffin and Von Freeman, who appeared together at the at Bimhuis on June 25/26, 1999.

All photos © Giovanni Piesco

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Johnny Griffin
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Von Freeman

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Johnny Griffin joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in 1957, and his recordings from that time include an album joining together the Messengers and Thelonious Monk. Griffin then succeeded John Coltrane as a member of Monk’s Five Spot quartet. He recorded with Monk during that time, including on the album Misterioso. “Nutty” is a track from that album. [Universal Music Group]

In 1972, Freeman first recorded under his own name, the album Doin’ It Right Now, which was produced by Rahsaan Roland Kirk. “White Sand” is from that album. [Rhino/Atlantic]