Exhibition: June 16 - August 11, 2026
Opening Reception: June 18, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Shutter and Sound: The Jazz Photography of Bob Willoughby
By 1950, jazz was here to stay and had migrated its unique sound from the streets of New Orleans to American cities from coast to coast. As the world changed, jazz evolved as well. In the 1950s, one of the foremost jazz scenes was located in Los Angeles, CA. Some would say it was due to the laid-back surfer culture of California, but the region's jazz had a flavor all its own and is often considered the birthplace of what we know as “smooth jazz” today. This exhibition provides a wealth of programming opportunities, from forging partnerships with local jazz clubs or radio stations to on-site concerts to bring the environment to life.
With photographs by Bob Willoughby, the exhibition Shutter and Sound explores the compelling world of the 1950s California jazz scene. As he developed photos at night in his Los Angeles garage, Willoughby listened to jazz on the radio. If he heard a live broadcast from a nearby venue, he’d drop everything to go take photographs. This exhibition comprises fifty images taken by Willoughby from 1950 to 1960. In these vibrant photos, Willoughby’s appreciation for and understanding of jazz music is apparent.
“Willoughby ‘not only had a good eye, but he also had a keen ear, and seemed to know when to snap at an inspired moment’.” – Dave Brubeck
Bob Willoughby is perhaps best known for his candid photographs of famous Hollywood actors, but before taking photos on film sets, he captured many images of jazz musicians. His photographs stand out because of their realism and immediacy. Working in difficult lighting and crowded conditions, these images are jazz improvisation made manifest: they give the viewer a sense of vibrant intimacy as he captured wistful singers, jamming musicians, and enthusiastic audiences. Willoughby photographed jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, and Frank Sinatra, to name just a few. These images reflect the dynamic jazz scene of the 1950s, a time—in the words of Dave Brubeck—“of youth, exuberance, hope, and change.”
Willoughby’s photographs continue to be avidly collected and are in museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Tate Modern in London. Whether visitors are seasoned jazz fans, newcomers wanting to learn more about the music scene, or photography enthusiasts, Shutter and Sound is as enduring as the music.