Red Velvet Media ®

Veryl Oakland’s photographs have been featured in thirty jazz books. More than 100 of his images were published in The Encyclopedia of Jazz in the Seventies, by critics Leonard Feather and Ira Gitler, and he was the sole photographer chosen to illustrate The Great Jazz Pianists, by Len Lyons. An active photojournalist for more than a quarter of a century, he closely collaborated with the renowned German critic/producer Joachim-Ernst Berendt on many of his jazz projects, plus regularly contributed works to the major worldwide jazz publications, including Swing Journal, (Tokyo, Japan), Jazz magazine (Paris, France), and Down Beat (United States). Oakland studied cornet for seven years, but never played professionally. He did not own a camera until age twenty-five, and was entirely self-taught. Through both personal stories and stunning photographs captured behind the scenes, lose yourself in this bygone era of jazz that celebrates dozens of the most recognized and formidable jazz artists spanning three decades. As a freelance jazz photojournalist who devoted nearly thirty years in search of the great jazz musicians, Veryl Oakland profiles the music’s masters in a wide variety of settings—under the spotlight, in their homes, and far from the stage—in a personalized manner unique for jazz publications. Close followers of the entertainment industry and music lovers everywhere will be enthralled to see more than 340 iconic images of diverse stars—Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Dexter Gordon, Art Blakey, Stan Getz, Phil Woods, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, Paul Bley, Weather Report, and Wynton Marsalis—covering music styles from swing, to bebop, cool, hard bop, free, and beyond.

Foreword by Quincy Jones

Show Notes

Veryl Oakland’s photographs have been featured in thirty jazz books. More than 100 of his images were published in The Encyclopedia of Jazz in the Seventies, by critics Leonard Feather and Ira Gitler, and he was the sole photographer chosen to illustrate The Great Jazz Pianists, by Len Lyons. An active photojournalist for more than a quarter of a century, he closely collaborated with the renowned German critic/producer Joachim-Ernst Berendt on many of his jazz projects, plus regularly contributed works to the major worldwide jazz publications, including Swing Journal, (Tokyo, Japan), Jazz magazine (Paris, France), and Down Beat (United States). Oakland studied cornet for seven years, but never played professionally. He did not own a camera until age twenty-five, and was entirely self-taught. Through both personal stories and stunning photographs captured behind the scenes, lose yourself in this bygone era of jazz that celebrates dozens of the most recognized and formidable jazz artists spanning three decades. As a freelance jazz photojournalist who devoted nearly thirty years in search of the great jazz musicians, Veryl Oakland profiles the music’s masters in a wide variety of settings—under the spotlight, in their homes, and far from the stage—in a personalized manner unique for jazz publications. Close followers of the entertainment industry and music lovers everywhere will be enthralled to see more than 340 iconic images of diverse stars—Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Dexter Gordon, Art Blakey, Stan Getz, Phil Woods, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, Paul Bley, Weather Report, and Wynton Marsalis—covering music styles from swing, to bebop, cool, hard bop, free, and beyond. Foreword by Quincy Jones

What is Red Velvet Media ®?

Holly Stephey is a successful producer , Radio show host of the very popular Radio show "Red Velvet Media Blogtalk Radio" as well as handling many high-profile individuals with her company Red Velvet Media. Holly is a very sought out person for many productions that involve non profits and is an active Philanthropist. She believes that there is a spiritual path to everything and she hopes to bring about an awareness through Music, Art, Book's, Pop Culture and her constant involvement with many organizations that further her message of LOVE and HOPE for the world.
*Holly Is A California Delegate for the One Foundation, California Ambassador and a member of Max's Kansas City extended family,
Ambassador for Food4africa, Love Ambassador for the Love Foundation & Ambassador for the World water Foundation, Film Judge for “The Southeastern International Film Festival”
There are many more foundations and organizations that Holly is involved with far too many to list, but she does things for the better of the World and to help people see the good in all.
Holly formed Red Velvet Media to fill needs in Educating the world on so many different issues and bring about an awareness in Music, Spirituality, World healing & Love for the human spirit through kindness...

Red Velvet Media work solely on productions that "Give Back". We bring superstars to your stage and have respected long term relationships with the entertainment industry's pioneers.

An aggressive percentage of our events net profits go directly to your charity nonprofit or for profit organization.We help you make a difference in your cause and in the world.

We are a globally interactive conscious team! Please contact us and let us discuss how we may be able to serve you and work together!