Instagram story viewer> @wongski> Posts
Chris Wong(@wongski)'s profile avatar HD Profile

Chris Wong

@wongski

32.3K
followers
724
following
My jams: 🎶, 🌀, 📷,🍜, 🏒My book about the music & lives of jazz musicians: Journeys to the Bandstand #wongskistaircases #wongskireflections #wongskidance
POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED
Download All
It’s a rare Wongski post so I can spread the word about an event where I’ll be the featured speaker. This Thursday, September 25, 7 pm, I’ll give a talk for @vanhistoricalsociety @museumofvan, 1100 Chestnut. In my talk, titled “Journeys to the Bandstand: The History of Vancouver’s Jazz Scene Told Through Personal Stories,” I’ll share some of those stories, show images, and play snippets of rare jazz that inspired my book about jazz musicians. Hope to see familiar and new faces at the event. You can also go to the Vancouver Historical Society’s YouTube page to watch a livestream or watch a video recording after the event - the link is in my Instagram profile. As for the photos in this post … 1. An image of the great saxophonist Dave Quarin who I wrote about in Journeys to the Bandstand. The photographer who captured this striking image in the late 1950s is unknown. 2. Promo for the talk from the society’s website. Big thanks to the society for inviting me to speak. 3. A photo I took of the iconic stainless steel crab sculpture, by George Norris, that’s in front of the museum. 4. A poster of an iconic 1963 show at a long gone local venue, the Blues Palace (misspelled in the poster), which will be part of my PowerPoint. 5. An image of moi, taken by @king_of_kits at the wonderful @wordvancouver festival I participated in last weekend, showing what I apparently do with my hands when I talk. 🙌 taken in Museum of Vancouver by @wongski
20
a year ago
Download
During a European trip I was lucky to go on last summer and fall, my travel photography goals focused on taking images of striking staircases - my obsession. That mission was accomplished in a number of places, including Barcelona. After a gathering in the beautiful city with sweet folks - my wife, @studioshuko, @nicanorgarcia, and @glennyloves - I pursued tips that Nicanor kindly provided about where to find cool stairs. That led me to the @ohla_eixample. The building dates back to the 1970s, when it housed offices. A refurbishment transformed it into a gorgeous hotel, with this stunning, well-lit staircase as a central feature. I was so eager to photograph the stairs looking down (photo 1) and looking up (photo 2) that I completely forgot to take pictures of the building’s compelling facade. Oh well, next time. Thanks Glenny for encouraging me to start sharing staircase shots from the trip. Stay tuned for more. #wongskistaircases taken in Ohla Eixample by @wongski
74
a year ago
Download
The last time I was in beautiful Comox on Vancouver Island, I DJ’d my friend’s Halloween house party and also went for a lovely walk in the woods. That was more than two years ago. A lot has happened since then, including many distressing world events, the hockey team I cheer for becoming very bad, Vancouver’s jazz scene getting better and better, my book about jazz musicians - Journeys to the Bandstand - coming out, and many cool things that resulted from the book. A week from today - March 9, 1:30 pm - I’ll be back in Comox to present Journeys @40knotswinery. The great bassist Steve Wallace will perform two sets with a hard swinging quartet. In between sets, I’ll talk about the book, read an excerpt or two, and answer questions. Many thanks to @georgiastraightjazz and @comoxvalleyartgallery for co-presenting this event, and to Steve and 40 Knots for welcoming me as part of the bill. A link for tickets is in my profile. Swipe left to see a photo of the idyllic woods and a video DJ Wongski captured of the Halloween bash’s peak moments. by @wongski
21
2 years ago
Download
Come and see @wongski talk about his amazing new book with @williamedwardhood Next Friday June 7th at 7pm. @coastaljazz @coryweeds by @wongski
11
2 years ago
Download
In this clip from Episode 48, author/journalist Chris Wong (@wongski) reads a passage written by pianist & improviser Al Neil in 1951. This astute and poetic description of jazz appears in Chris’ remarkable new book, “Journeys to the Bandstand: Thirty Jazz Lives in Vancouver”. Reel by @janegowan (photos are credited in the book). 🎥 by @ethan_deibert Music: “Modal”, by The Al Neil Trio Check out chriswongauthor.ca for more information or to purchase the book. Listen to the episode wherever you get your pods. Link in bio! . . #jazz #vancouver #music #improv #vancouvermusicvenues #thecellar #cellarjazz #jazzfest #chriswong #alneil by @wongski
5
2 years ago
Download
Ep. 48: CHRIS WONG - Journeys to the Bandstand ———————-🎷———————- One city, two Cellars, seven decades, and thirty vibrant jazz personalities. “Journeys to the Bandstand: Thirty Jazz Lives in Vancouver” is the debut book by author and veteran music journalist Chris Wong aka @wongski (Vancouver Sun, Georgia Straight, Vancouver Courier). It’s an in-depth and rich account of the remarkable life stories of several key protagonists in Vancouver’s jazz and improv scene. From lesser-known icons such as trumpeter John Dawe, to revolutionary shape shifters such as pianist Al Neil, to essential leaders in today’s scene such as bassist Jodi Proznick, Wong chronicles this carefully-curated selection of intriguing lives with a gentle compassion, a steadfast respect for the truth, and a deep love and understanding of the art form itself. The book describes the inspiration, passion, and the lure of a life dedicated to music, but also the emotional, economic, and physical toll that can often accompany such a choice. While chronicling the professional trajectories of his chosen subjects, Wong also shines a light on a city with a rich jazz culture, a supportive community, and a fascinating musical history. Available wherever you get your pods or see link in bio. 🎧 . . #vancouver #jazz #chriswong #improv #alneil #journeys #livemusic #musician #saxophone #piano #bass #bands #thecellar #cellarjazz #coryweeds #jazzfestival by @wongski
20
2 years ago
Download
Just over six months ago, we went to Los Angeles for a vacation and had a great time, which I captured in many photos. Then life happened and I sat on most of the images, which is the Wongski tendency. I’ve had a yearning to post something, anything, like in the good old days of IG when I shared a pic almost daily. So here’s a set from a visit to the wonderfully designed @thebroadmuseum, which had a great Keith Haring exhibit. The photo showing the large table and chairs and my tiny wife - that’s “Under The Table” by Robert Therrien. I will share more LA images - I promise. Now back to life. #wongskireflections by @wongski
43
2 years ago
Download
Yes, it’s an actual post from moi. When I last posted on August 1, I didn’t realize I was going on a six-month IG posting sabbatical. But a lot has happened since then. My mom passed away - a devastating loss that will take a long time to come to terms with. Then I was in crunch time with finishing my book on jazz musicians, Journeys to the Bandstand: Thirty Jazz Lives in Vancouver. Happily, after more than a decade of research, writing, and obsessing, I finally let go, and the book has been published!

If you’re interested in learning about the book and buying it, please visit the new website that I built, listed on my IG profile. The site includes details about a number of book launch events coming up. Thanks for your support! In frame: Wongski reading the book at the bottom of the Carnegie Community Centre’s wondrous spiral staircase. Photographer: @edwardchang, my awesome pal who expertly captured the images. #wongskistaircases #journeystothebandstand taken in Carnegie Community Centre by @wongski
109
3 years ago
Download
When researching things to do in the charming Fairhaven historic district of Bellingham, I stumbled upon some photos of this building and knew I had to photograph its unique old school architecture, including staircases. The Mason Block building, later renamed Sycamore Square, was completed in 1890. Mark Twain held court in a men’s social club on the building’s top floor in 1895. (The very next day, he arrived in Vancouver, the last stop of a speaking tour designed to get him out of deep debt.) By the 1930s, the three-storey structure was mostly vacant and the surrounding area became derelict, but the building with elegant bones somehow survived. Some say because of paranormal sightings the building is haunted. While taking photos, no ghosts showed up in frame. 👻 But two #stairwalkers, my longtime pals @blurred_brisbane and @king_of_kits, followed my ocd art direction to a tee. Fun times. #wongskistaircases #ru_architecture_23 taken in Sycamore Square by @wongski
53
3 years ago
Download
Exactly two months ago, I took my awesome friends @kathy_harms_photography & @michal.fedeles to two of my favourite local staircases, as a last photowalk before they moved to Porto, Portugal. This spiral staircase at the Dominion Building, which was completed in 1910, had to be part of the mini-tour because it’s remarkably beautiful. 🌀 Why didn’t I post these earlier? a. My focus has been on finishing my book on jazz musicians, which will finally be out this year. b. I like photos to marinate for a long time before I select, edit, and reveal them. Why am I posting them now? Because I’m in an emergency department waiting area - I injured my calf while playing pickleball 😫 - and it’s a very long wait. So I need to do something. Thus this accidental post. Hope you’re all well. #wongskistaircases taken in Dominion Building by @wongski
85
3 years ago
Download
I wanted to photograph @edwardchang alone on these beautiful stairs, but it was challenging because this is a busy staircase. Then a woman stopped about halfway up the stairs and didn’t budge for the longest time. After waiting forever for her to leave, I decided to incorporate the mystery lady in my shots. It turned out that her presence enhanced the images. In the second shot, which has a different composition and light, I managed to photograph patient Edward all by himself. #ru_awardgoesto_23 #wongskistaircases taken in Apple Store by @wongski
137
4 years ago
Download
I was thrilled to see Yayoi Kusama’s profound art @rubellmuseum in Miami. Among her works at the Rubell is Narcissus Garden, which consists of 700 stainless steel spheres that flow in the museum’s central gallery. 1. I wrestled with how to photograph the installation and decided to approach it with #bokehphotography. My wife happened to be walking by at the time I took this shot. I’m attracted to #bokehlicious images because they’re metaphors for how life is ephemeral and never static. 2. Here’s what Narcissus Garden actually looks like, sort of. I made it bnw with a colour splash on the iconic Keith Haring painting at the end of the gallery. 3. Another #bokehful shot, again in bnw with a colour splash. 4. We also experienced Kusama’s fully immersive installations at the museum, including the INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM. Freaky fun. 5. Another fully immersive installation: Where the Lights in My Heart Go. As for Kusama - the world’s best-selling living female artist - at 93 she’s still painting daily in the psychiatric hospital where she lives. taken in Rubell Museum by @wongski
77
4 years ago
Download
×

Download all media on this page

Photos Videos
back to up