Perth Voice Interactive

THE Ellington 15 is a deeply personal exhibition.

It features some of the best photographs taken at the Perth jazz club since it opened in 2009, and was curated by photographer Angelyne Wolfe.

She was the partner of jazz pianist Graham Wood when he setup the Ellington, and Wolfe took photos at the club during its tumultuous early years when it was flying by the seat of its pants and making up the rules as it went along.

Sadly Wood died in 2017 after a long battle with cancer, aged 46. 

Out of the hundreds of photos Wolfe unearthed for the exhibition, two really tugged at the heart strings.

“One is of Graham playing the piano,” she says.

“He has always been captivating when in his moments of performance, and it reminds me that you can be born to this earth for a purpose. His purpose, his soul shone through when he played. 

“Another of my favourites is not a technically brilliant image, but it’s one that captures a moment – the inaugural Perth International Jazz Festival 2013 closing night.

“Graham was in hospital, and didn’t get to see much of what he worked so hard to put together, so I wanted to send him a photo of all the musicians who performed, as many were at the Ellington for the famous Late Night Jazz Jam sessions. I stupidly didn’t bring my wide angle lens along that night, so when I asked everyone to get in for a group shot, I had to stand on a table right against the wall as far back as I could go to get everyone into the shot.”

In an era of over-produced concerts in giant stadiums, where most of the audience are busy filming on their phones, the tiny Ellington jazz club is an intimate venue where deep musical and personal friendships are formed. 

“That group photo reminds me of the family that we all are, the many moments shared together over the years,” Wolfe says.

“People that I may not see very often, but when I do, I know we have a connection that will never fade, a shared history, and that these people, wherever they are in the world, are my people. The creatives, the dreamers, the doers and the strivers.”

Over the years the club has showcased hundreds of local jazz performers including Libby Hammer, Ali Bodycoat and Tom O’Halloran, as well as global stars like Kurt Elling, Paul Grabowski and George Garzone, who often did a special show at the Ellington while passing through on tour.

“Each photographer has their own style, many capturing the same artists throughout the years in very different ways, but together, the images paint a story of intimate settings, special performances just inches away from your seat, international touring artists doing special secret shows, or sitting-in on a jam, in what makes a never to be seen again performance you might just be lucky enough to witness, and mostly, the camaraderie of performers, knowing what it means to grace the stage of this iconic venue…” Wolfe says.

Her photos span the first eight years at the club, before then-Ellington barman Steven Emmerson took over photographic duties, and around 2014 photographers Nathan Bullivant, Corey James and Ewa Ginal-Cumblige came on-board.

The exhibition has 17 physical snaps from each photographer and a digital display showing more candid photos of the club.

“They show backstage scenes and tell more of a story rather than just performance photos,” Wolfe says. “From construction of the venue fit-out, and the reality of running a venue with kids in tow, to moments of happiness between staff backstage, or regular members who have been loyal to the venue since its inception, but likely many of the prints will showcase performers doing what they do best!” 

After Wood sadly died in 2017, The Ellington was a bit rudderless and lacked direction.

But in April 2023, Zoe Jay and Travis Simmons took over the club and it’s back on track with a new programme and fresh approach.

Wolfe says the club is part of Perth’s musical DNA.

“We have a photographic collection that encompasses 15 years and tells a story of this New York-style jazz club in what could be called one of the most isolated cities in the world,” she says.

Ellington 15 is on June 7–9 at the Ellington Jazz Club, 193 Beaufort Street. There is an opening night event and you can view the exhibition before a show. Entry is free but you need to register at ellingtonjazz.com.au.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK