A series of big band concerts was held in the 1970s at East Islip High School on Long Island. The bands included those of Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich. As a music director of a neighboring school district and practicing photographer, Joe Constantino had access to the stage and was fortunate to capture some of these greats on film.
“The best part,” says Constantino, “was listening to the wonderful music that was being played and trying to capture the mood of the moment. Talking with some of these jazz greats between sets was also a wonderful experience that I will never forget.”
Several of Constantino’s photos will be exhibited at the Alfred Van Loen Gallery in South Huntington, N.Y., in February. None of these photos has been published previously except the one of Kenton at the piano, which appeared in the bandleader’s own newsletter.
