Howard Moss: Bright Moments in Jazz Article by Bobby Ramirez
(8-4-2010) Spilled milk may not mean all that much to most of us except perhaps as it equates to a moment of discomfort; shattered glass…what a mess! But, when it comes to the visual artistry of Howard Moss, certain occurrences and details can take on a whole new meaning as precious instances become crystallized forever in space and time; thus, producing cataclysmic sparks of simple emotions—feelings of joy; happiness, tears, visions of colorful rainbows, underwater paradise; lush rainforests; the warm sun that invites a fresh morning breeze giving birth to a new day—or more applicable musically speaking as it pertains to his visual photo collection entitled “Bright Moments in Jazz.”
For over 50 years, Howard Moss has embarked on a journey as a musician and visual artist that has taken him to far places around the world. At age six, he began formal musical training guided by his father who left Miami to join the Bessie Smith band and worked with many great bands in New York City.
As a youth, Howard Moss took a keen interest in music delving in various instruments that included the piano, alto saxophone and trumpet. With the help and encouragement of his dad, he decided to play the drums. Already gigging by the age of 12, Moss acclimated himself into an extremely multicultural musical environment that included many styles of music: from Broadway Show tunes to Fusion Jazz, Bebop, Swing, R&B, Latin and Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova & Samba, and more!
His joy of music would soon help him establish a successful musical career that would grant him much opportunity to travel the world; thereby, sharing the stage with many accomplished musicians—including renowned artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Nat Adderly, Alice Coltrane, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and many others.
But, along the way, Moss discovered a passion for the art of photography. And as a result of his travels and musical encounters, he amassed a collection of photographs that highlight---as he most amicably puts it: “My collection represents a chronicle of my life’s musical journey. Each photo brings a special recollection of memories that tells a wonderful story of places and people that encapsulate my feelings at that particular instance. And for me, these images represent Bright Moments in Jazz.”
The “Bright Moments in Jazz” collection is now on exhibit at the WDNA 88.9 FM Radio Station Jazz Gallery. The collection features about 30 black & white photographs of jazz musicians in live performances—including Dizzy Gillespie, John “Spider” Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Gary Mulligan, Sonny Rollins, James Moody, Arturo Sandoval, Nancy Wilson, and others.
The WDNA 88.9 FM Radio Station Jazz Gallery is open 10 to 5 PM and is located at 2921 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145. For information, contact Maggie Peyella, Station Manager at 305-662-8889. Admission is free; donations to WDNA are highly recommended. More information about Howard Moss at www.movision.org
