08/08/2026
I first met Jon Madof Music when our respective bands played the same all-ages venues during our high school years. In college, he introduced us to a brand new musical world... free jazz and the experimental avant-garde downtown NYC scene, particularly John Zorn and his Tzadik record label. I could not get enough of it all. Some of the releases were extremely difficult, maybe achieving two listens, if that. Others were repeated so many times, they required multiple purchases. The label provided a platform to show me what was possible in music. Eventually, Jon became part of the Tzadik family with stellar releases from his own projects, and appearances on other albums, including from Zorn himself. I reconnected with Jon, photographing a couple live shows with new trio, consisting of on bass and on drums. Jon then asked me to take some band portraits for possible promo usage. Well, I was over the moon when I saw the layout for the trio's new release on Tzadik. Not one, but two of my photos were used in the album. One of which shows up on the label's signature obi strip. For that photo, I channeled the British photographer, Martyn Goddard, specifically his rooftop images of Blondie in 1978 (seen on the cover of the band's 1981 "The Best of Blondie" album). I've used this move many times with musicians and wedding clients... have my subjects hold flashes, point them at me, and fire away.
It's always an honor seeing musicians use my images in various ways, but now seeing them in Tzadik release has taken it to a new level for me. I'm thrilled to have made a contribution to this killer album. Please go listen and purchase "Netzach" through Jon's Bandcamp page or the Tzadik website.