© Terry Cryer, 1950s (1956 or 1959), “The Kiss”, Coleman Hawkins & Sonny Stitt, possibly in Leeds, Bradford, England

Today I found this wonderful photo of Coleman Hawkins & Sonny Stitt on Facebook - it is the new cover photo of Mojo Club, a wonderful Jazz, Funk, Soul, Latin & more radio station. If you’re running out of good music ideas then switch on Mojo Club Radio, you won’t regret it!

Terry Cryer was born in Leeds in 1934 and started his career in photography at 14 years old, his first job was mixing gallons of chemicals for a processing firm. Soon he found himself behind the camera. He first took pictures on an imitation Leica and later, when he acquired a twin-lens Rolleiflex, he had his favoured camera.

When a venue called Studio 20 opened in Leeds, featuring jazz seven nights a week, Terry started to take photographs of the musicians who played there. It was to lead to a career snapping pictures of the many musical greats. (read more)

“I got a job as a freelance for The Jazz News. I faked myself credentials and I got myself a press card. Was this honest? Who cares. I broke the rules because it was a lot more exciting than following them. The establishment move the goal posts to suit themselves. Why shouldn’t I?” (Terry Cryer)

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