Jak Kilby (29 April 1949 – 3 January 2020)
Labelled as a ‘Jazz photographer’ by some, and a ‘World Music photographer’ by others Jak, whose expertise and skills were widely recognized, always responded saying all Jazz is ‘World Music’ and all ‘World Music’ is Jazz!
His photographic archive which includes music, dance, theatre and portraiture has been widely exhibited and extensively published in all the major broadsheets, numerous magazines and countless book publications including the Rough Guide to World Music; the Rough Guide to Jazz and Jazz–A Photographic Documentary. Major clients included the BBC, the British Council, fRoots Magazine, The Wire, Q News, and Union Square Music.
Jak’s archive includes some rare 1968 images of David Bowie as Cloud in ‘Pierrot in Turquoise’ and a great collection of portraits of Lindsay Kemp, Marc Bolan, Art Pepper and a 25 year old Arlene Phillip. His gentle presence and extensive knowledge is much missed.
References:
Jak Kilby Official Website
Jak Kilby Obituary, the Guardian, Richard Williams, 15 Jan 2020
Jak Kilby on Discogs
Hyde Park, London, UK;
5 July 1969
Credit: Jak Kilby / ArenaPAL
Womad Festival, Rivermead, Reading, UK;
23 July 1994
Credit: Jak Kilby / ArenaPAL
at the Academy, Brixton, London, UK;
12 November 1983
Credit: Jak Kilby / ArenaPAL
Natural Music Festival, Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge, UK, 2 March1969
Credit: Jak Kilby / ArenaPAL