Their Love of Music

The return of the turkey...

2011-11-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

Some great pre-holiday deals...

2011-11-22T08:24:00.000-08:00

...on some fabulous photography gifts from Quiet Light Publishing!! Click here for details...

Wine, Cheese and Award Winning Photographers...

2011-11-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

...what more could you want on a Friday evening!? How 'bout their amazing collections of images at discounted rates? Personally signed? Incredible holiday gifts? Be there, Friday November 18th, 6:30 p.m.....DETAILS HERE

Booking signing this Friday Nov. 18th

2011-11-13T10:29:00.000-08:00

Nice interview with Steve on Chicago's WMAQ this morning to promote his book signing at The Book Stall in Winnetka this Friday, November 18th!

View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.

Honeyboy Tribute Concert at Legends Oct. 19th

2011-10-15T09:01:00.000-07:00

Steve Azzato and Quiet Light Publishing are pleased to announce that they will be participating in the HONEYBOY EDWARDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND & TRIBUTE CONCERT, OCT. 19TH at Buddy Guy's Legends. They have donated a fabulous limited edition print of Honeyboy and a copy of Steve's award winning collection of musician portraits "Their Love of Music" to the fund and Steve will be signing copies of his book at the event along with some of the musicians he featured. For more on the event go to: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=279187748766459

New music from Alice Peacock...

2011-08-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

Alice has teamed up with Danny Myrick, frequent live show sideman and collaborator on her '09 release, "Love Remains" to form a new band - Myrick/Peacock - and they have just released an amazing collection of new tunes. As always, we're thrilled to hear such incredible new music from a featured TLOM artist! Myrick/Peacock will be on tour this fall starting with a show in Philly. To see the full schedule and learn more about this great collaboration go to their website HERE

In the meantime, here's a great replay of a recent live performance...

The boys with the hardware!!

2011-07-24T16:50:00.001-07:00

Finally got a shot of Steve and Richard with the Ben Franklin Award for the Best Photography Book of 2010!! Well done gents!!

Act fast! Only first 50...

2011-07-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

Evanston-based Quiet Light Publishing is offering a 20% discount on Their Love of Music to fans of Natalia Zukerman to celebrate her appearance with Adrianne at SPACE on Tuesday July 26th. Only the first fifty (50)orders using the code TLOM11 at checkout receive the discount so jump over using the link to the right and grab the deal...

Ms. Malone rockin' it on the 4th...

2011-07-08T15:09:00.000-07:00

As always, Fitzgerald's Americana Festival over Independence Day weekend is an incredible party...and this year one of our featured artists absolutely rocked the house...here's a sample what ya' missed if you weren't there!!! Michelle Malone knows how to close out the night...

Pinetop woulda' been 98 today!!

2011-07-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

In our hearts and souls forever...RIP!

Happy 96th, Honeyboy!!

2011-06-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

"Blues supposed to be stripped and understand what you doin'. Take one chord and kill 'em dead, that's what I do."
-- David "Honeyboy" Edwards

New music and video from...

2011-06-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

...Gen and Mark at Company of Thieves!

Make Dad smile!

2011-06-09T07:18:00.001-07:00

Quiet Light Publishing is continuing its special Spring offer of 25% off any book purchased from their collection. And, each is personally signed by the author. So forget the ties, power tools and wallets. Make dad smile with a copy of award-winning and critically acclaimed "Their Love of Music" by Steve Azzato...he'll love ya' for it!

And if you've already got Steve's book, check out the other beautiful merch on the site!

Click on the QLP logo to the right to learn more and order!

The final results are in!!

2011-05-24T18:25:00.001-07:00

The Independent Book Publisher Association just announced the winners of the Ben Franklin Book Awards... "Their Love of Music" by Stephen Azzato has won for the Best Cover Design for Large Format Books! Congrats to Steve, Richard Mack of Quiet Light Publishing and the cover designer, Rich Nickel on this well-deserved honor!!

Click on the Quiet Light logo to the right to get your copy personally inscribed by Steve...what a great Father's Day gift!!

Feathers in caps!

2011-05-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

We're all mostly modest folks around here but it's pretty hard not to 'puff up' a bit this evening. Steve Azzato's "Their Love of Music" and Richard Mack's "Great Smoky Mountain National Park" have both won International Book Awards in their respective categories. Steve for "Photography: People" and Richard for "Photography: Nature". A great night for Quiet Light Publishing and you can still grab both of these books at an incredible 25% off by clicking the QLP link to the right or in the post below!

Congrats boys!!

25% off RIGHT NOW!

2011-05-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

Check out the publisher's site for a fabulous deal...25% off and personally signed by Steve Azzato!

New music from Company of Thieves!

2011-05-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

New album coming on May 17th but they're previewing via some great acoustic videos...congrats to Marc and Genevieve!!

Great deal and lotsa' news...

2011-05-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to the Quiet Light eNewsletter for spring! We've added new prints, and a few great offers including a Spring Special of 25% off everything at Quiet Light Publishing! Just enter the code Spring2011 in the discount code box at check out. Be sure to then hit the recalculate button and you'll receive the discount! Read on right HERE"

Pinetop would be proud!!

2011-05-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

The Independent Book Publishers Association has announced finalists for the 2011 Benjamin Franklin Book Awards and we are thrilled that "Their Love of Music" has been chosen as one of three finalists in the 'Cover Design' category! Congrats to all involved and we'll keep our fingers crossed!! Read more at the Quiet Light website here

Photographer and publisher honor Perkins’ legacy

2011-04-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Photographer Stephen Azzato and Quiet Light Publishing have donated $5000.00 to the Pinetop Perkins Foundation via a set of limited edition prints signed by both Steve and Pinetop prior to his death on March 21st. Perkins’ portrait graces the cover of the recently released “Their Love of Music”, a highly regarded collection of portraits and quotes featuring over one hundred musicians. In the book, Azzato has captured the essence of the creative spirit in the faces and words of the musicians themselves. “The beauty of this project for me was being able to sit with a huge range of musicians and explore what drew them to their art”, says Azzato. “I was able to hear it in their voices and record it visually in their images”.

While choosing cover images for books can be a difficult task, Azzato points out that in this instance it was easy. “While we considered several options briefly, Pinetop’s portrait just seemed the perfect fit. His love of music is there in his face, in his character. There simply wasn’t another choice that told the story so well.”

Regarding the donation to the Foundation, Azzato commented, “It’s a way for the publisher and I to say ‘thanks again’. I hope that the funds can be used to continue the legacy of Pinetop’s approach to music and life by allowing some kids to be a part of the amazing educational programs the Foundation offers.”

RIP Pinetop

2011-03-21T15:13:00.001-07:00

It is with great sadness that we learned today of the death of Pinetop Perkins. He was chosen for the cover of the book because he so perfectly captured the spirit of the entire project… “The blues makes me feel pretty good. It always keeps two dollars in my hand. I praise to the Lord all the time, ‘please forgive me for it,’ cause I know nothing else to do.”

Fantastic News!

2011-03-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

USA Book News has announced their list of contenders for Book of the Year 2011 and "Their Love of Music" has been included in the photography category!! Congrats to Steve!!

USA Book NewsCovering What's Hot, New & Noteworthy in the World of Books! click the link to see the news HERE

You'll also note that Richard Mack's photographic collection on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park made the list too!

Way to go boys!!

New from Company of Thieves...

2011-03-14T11:41:00.001-07:00

Marc and Genevieve and the rest of the band have a new album coming out in May but you can check out "Death of Communication" right here... READ AND LISTEN

We've been remiss...

2011-03-05T09:27:00.000-08:00

...in acknowledging the passing of one of our featured artists, Norton Buffalo. The pending release of a new album by the Steve Miller Band that includes some of Norton's last work reminds us of the thirty year working relationship of two giants in the music business. As someone said shortly after his death in late 2009, "Norton's arrival in heaven means another angel brought a harp"! When he was told by a record executive that he might need to have a guitar as the 'lead instrument' on his album he replied, "What's so special about a guitar? I can rip the snot out of just about anything with a harmonica"!

His portrait is wonderful and as you can see in the video with Roy Rogers, the man could play that thang!! He is missed by musicians and those who loved his music.

Now that sounds like spring! Jennifer Peterson...

2011-03-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

Classic midwestern rock to usher in 'spring'...

2011-03-04T07:46:00.000-08:00

Another great honor, well deserved!

2011-02-22T16:03:00.000-08:00

Allen Toussaint to be inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame

By Keith Spera, The Times-Picayune

New Orleans’ oft-honored Allen Toussaint needs to expand his trophy case once again: He’s being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The 2011 Songwriters Hall of Fame class includes country superstar Garth Brooks; Leon Russell, who is bound for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next month; John Bettis, who wrote “Human Nature” for Michael Jackson and “Crazy for You” for Madonna; and the team of Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, who wrote Madonna’s “Like A Virgin,” Pat Benatar’s “Sex As a Weapon” and Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” among others.

Toussaint is already a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. A multi-talent pianist and producer, he’s written hundreds of songs recorded by scores of artists. They range from the instrumental “Java,” a huge hit for Al Hirt, to “Whipped Cream,” a smash for Herb Alpert and the theme music to the original “Dating Game”, to “Southern Nights,” which Glen Campbell took to No. 1, and the Lee Dorsey hit “Working in the Coal Mine,” later covered by ‘80s band Devo and mother/daughter duo the Judds..

Toussaint’s credits also include Ernie K-Doe’s “Mother-in-Law,” Irma Thomas’s “It’s Raining” and “Ruler of My Heart,” Art Neville’s “All These Things” and Benny Spellman’s “Fortune Teller,” which Robert Plant and Alison Krauss covered on their hit 2007 album “Raising Sand.”

His most recent release is "The Bright Mississippi," an elegant collection of jazz standards.

The Songwriters Hall of Fame induction is June 16.

NMA's new release pays...

2011-02-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

...tribute to their dad. Luther and Cody Dickinson, along with bassist Chris Chew, have crafted an homage to their father, Jim...

Good luck to our featured artists!!

2011-02-13T07:21:00.000-08:00

They don't make cards like they used to!

2011-02-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

Any of the fine offerings from Quiet Light Publishing make a very special gift! Check 'em out at any of the links to the right...

Kelly Joe with Corinne West...nice duo!

2011-02-04T11:47:00.000-08:00

Corinne West & Kelly Joe Phelps - "Night Falls Away Singing" from fretboardjournal on Vimeo.

Check out the podcast too!!

New stuff comin'...

2011-01-19T10:44:00.000-08:00

"Baron Wolman loved your book!"

2011-01-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

What an incredible honor from the 'godfather' of rock photography! From Baron Wolman's bio...

The year was ’67, and everyone was grooving.

Fueled by the music and the times, a 21-year-old journalist named Jann Wenner gathered some friends and began a revolution in ink. Named Rolling Stone, this newsprint rag captured the era, defined it in print and pictures, and helped form a generation. Among the friends that Wenner interested in his project was Wolman, then a 30-year-old freelance photojournalist. Already an established photographer for such glossy mags as Life and Look...Wenner invited Wolman to shoot for the burgeoning Rolling Stone, Wolman agreed to work for free, and when the first issue hit the streets five months later, rock history began to be recorded.

During his fast-paced tenure, Wolman’s lens captured the royalty of the ’60s pop and rock explosion: Janis Joplin, the Rolling Stones, Frank Zappa, the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Iggy Pop, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Phil Spector, Jim Morrison, Ike & Tina Turner, Tim Leary, and a motley cast of hangers-on.

New music from featured artists...

2011-01-12T07:01:00.000-08:00

...is headed our way and today we get a "Twofer" - Natalia Zukerman's "Gas Station Roses" produced by Willy Porter on his Weasel Records label.

Another satisfied artist!

2011-01-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

Steve has been getting some great kudos from the folks he included in "Their Love of Music" now that the holidays are over and they have received their books...

Hi Steve, I am so sorry I didn't get back to you right after getting the book!
With the craziness of the holidays...it got by me.
The book is just BEAUTIFUL-- you should be very proud of it.
I could certainly see a series by you.
Congratulations and onward and THANK YOU!
Rosanne

Good sentiment to start...

2011-01-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

...the New Year from Eric Bibb!

"...I'm a road rat."

2011-01-04T10:58:00.000-08:00

One of the comments that we hear consistently about the book is related to the great mix of 'stadium show superstars' and folks not everyone has had a chance to see play. Today's featured artist is a Chicago favorite who has traded licks onstage with the likes of Joe Satriani and John Popper and his quote in the "Half the Project" sidebar to the right captures the feelings of many of the artists about 'their love of music".

Little Feat doing "Auld Lang Syne"???

2010-12-31T10:11:00.000-08:00

That's right! Featured artists in the book with a nice "Feat Groove" at the end...

From across the lake...

2010-12-31T07:06:00.000-08:00

Photo book "Their Love of Music" takes a personal look at musicians and what makes them tick
Steve Begnoche - Managing Editor

Music, in its purest sense, is an aural experience. Add some emotion and one shouldn’t have to see a thing to enjoy it. Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles prove that.

But photographer Stephen Azzato explores what others have discovered: Music, in the form of musicians, make a strong subject for visual arts, too.

Azzato, a network television videographer residing in Chicago, takes an interesting and insightful approach to musicians in “Their Love of Music,” a 252-page coffee table book of portraits of musicians.

These photographs were made often before concerts with a brown cloth background that forces all attention on the musician and the instrument they sometimes brought with them.

The format is simple: one page is the photograph and on the facing page is a a quote from the musician revolving around why the musician does what he or she does and how did they get to where they are in their career?

Simple questions, a simple format, a simple background and a simply stunning book.

Musicians of all pedigree, some famous like blues great Buddy Guy and rockers Steve Miller and George Thorogood, some relatively unknown or a backup player in a “name” musician’s band are featured.

Among those profiled are some top-notch singer-songwriters who might not be household names, Jennifer Peterson, Kristina Milk and, for West Shore Community College Performing Arts Series patrons, 2009-2010 performer Alice Peacock.

Some of the musicians look intense, even in this setting. Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater has the looks of a former NFL linebacker. But his comment shows a look doesn’t say everything. “When I play the blues it’s a good feeling. You could describe it as a spiritual being takes over, way out of the ordinary and puts you in a whole new dimension from yourself.”

Country musician Clint Black has a very happy expression on his face. “The history of country music is on the lyric … you don’t have to be a professor of sociology to get the point,” he observes.

Rosanne Cash, who in late summer performed at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, has a bit of a questioning look, as if she’s trying to see through the camera to the photographer.

Steve Miller looks like a businessman, in his sports coat, open-collared white shirt, and dark glasses. “I don’t think of myself as a rock star,” he said.

[Full review HERE]

Steve's 'gear'...

2010-12-29T13:52:00.001-08:00

A number of people have asked us about Steve’s gear and his approach to shooting the magnificent portraits included in “Their Love of Music”. As a network cameraman for NBC National News, he spends a lot of time behind the camera – both video and still – and has worked with a range of journalists and reporters. So, he gets the interview thing. But, asking a musician ready to go on stage to sit for a portrait? Sounds like ‘photographic suicide’ doesn’t it?

But, he pulled it off. Over one hundred times. Nashville-based singer/songwriter Alice Peacock said in a recent interview, “You’re in a head space to perform, [but] he went snap, snap, snap and that was that. He didn’t want you to pose or get stressed out. He wanted to take people as real people, and looking through the book, that’s what I was struck by. They are candid portraits.” As Steve told Phil Ponce, the host of Chicago Tonight, in an appearance to discuss the book, “I always tell people, ‘relax, be yourself, it’ll be alright’”. Sounds simple enough, but making it work is tougher than it seems.

Having had the opportunity to see Steve work, I can tell you that his vision for the project, preparation for each shoot and his incredibly easygoing demeanor combined with professional photography skills honed over many years of shooting under less than ideal conditions made this collection what it is. Full set-up of backdrop, lighting, and camera in less than ten minutes, complete familiarity with the subjects’ bio including recent events in their life, a full appreciation for the ‘head space’ they’re in at the moment (he is a musician too, after all!), and a clear idea of what he wants to achieve led to shoots that have ranged from a couple of minutes (listen to his Steve Miller story in the aforementioned interview) to forty-five minutes (“some of them enjoyed talking!”). The results speak for themselves.

Now to his gear. Light, easy to load in and set up, and completely familiar to him. In the shoots that I have seen, Steve’s camera seems to almost disappear as he chats with the artist and positions himself effortlessly for the next shot. It’s as if he’s simply in a conversation with the musician and in a sense, he is. Look the faces, the body positions, the expressiveness of the portrait…the musicians aren’t responding to the camera. They’re responding to Steve.

His ‘hardware’ includes:
Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Lens: Canon 24-70mm f 2.8
Light/ Key: One AlienBees B-800 usually set at 1/8 equipped with a Chimera video pro softbox
Iso: 160
Shutter Speed: 180
Apperture: 6.7-8.0
Backdrop: Brown Muslin (2)

From all of us at Their Love of Music...

2010-12-23T17:58:00.000-08:00

...have a safe and very Merry Christmas!!

Is That Santa on the Tele?

2010-12-23T05:54:00.000-08:00

Nah, but somebody who sure likes the book...still time to get that final gift for the music/photography lover on your list!! From Grammy-winner Redd Volkaert in an email yesterday...

To: Steve Azzato
From: Redd Volkaert
Subject: Holy Shit!!

Steve!

That is the coolest looking book I've ever seen. The layout is fantastic, the photo's are incredible, and the paragraphs say it all.

You've done an amazing job on this project.
I'm proud to be included, and want to thank you for including my bandmates and myself to be part of your amazing book!

Thank you and Merry Christmas,
Redd Volkaert

Jimmy Carter and the Blind Boys of Alabama

2010-12-21T06:27:00.000-08:00

The elves at Quiet Light Publishing...

2010-12-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

...want to remind everbody that today is the last day to order a signed copy of "Their Love of Music" in time for Christmas without the pesky expedited delivery charge!

Not too late...

2010-12-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

...to see the smiling faces of happy family around the tree! Direct from QLP through tomorrow, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders or your local independent bookstore. Make someone happy on Christmas morning!!

Monday is your last day...

2010-12-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

...to order merch from Quiet Light Publishing and be assured of delivery in time for Xmas without special delivery arrangements. Get on over there and grab a gift from the fantastic selection that includes...

Great books, great gifts!

2010-12-18T05:55:00.001-08:00

Fantastic article in today's Chicago Sun Times about Richard Mack and Quiet Light Publishing (where ALL items are 15% off!)...Congrats!

Evanston photographer feels call of nature in new book
BY Dave Hoekstra dhoekstra@suntimes.com Dec 17, 2010 09:45PM

Richard Mack’s ember photograph of the Missouri River at twilight gently moves off the page into your soul.

I’ve never been absorbed by a photograph in a coffee table travel book as much as this spiritual picture in The Lewis & Clark Trail: American Landscapes.

Taken from the crest of the Double Ditch Indian Site, about 30 miles north of Bismarck, N.D., it was the last shot of the Evanston resident’s first book project.

“I knew at the moment it could be the cover,” he said during a conversation at a Ukraninan Village coffee shop. “It was the end of a two-and-a-half year project. I was standing on a cliff. It was where the Mandan Indians had camped. As Lewis and Clark came by it was fall [Oct. 21, 1804]. You have to frame and wait for the right light, but in the landscape world, most of it is given to you by what’s going on in front of you. That was during the days of film, so if it came out I knew it would be stunning.”

The Lewis & Clark Trail is a 2007 companion piece to Mack’s 2009 Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Thirty Years of American Landscapes.

In October, USA Book News named the Smoky Mountains effort as “Best Book, Nature Photography 2010.”

The landscape books launched Mack’s Quiet Light publishing company to a space where he could do a third coffee table photography book.

Released last month, Their Love of Music features 117 color photographs from Libertyille-based NBC cameraman Steve Azzato. It is the first non-Mack book for the Evanston-based imprint. (All books are $65, quietlightpublishing.com.)

“Book publishing is harder than you think,” said Mack, 55. “You have to become a publisher and everything that entails. But this is the only way you make money — even though it’s not a lot. It’s like the musicians [Dave Alvin, Aaron Neville, Dave Specter and others] in the book. They do it for the love of the music, you do it for the love of the book.”

[Full article HERE]

The Christmas Song...

2010-12-17T05:16:00.000-08:00

Need that last gift?

2010-12-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

15% percent off EVERYTHING at Quiet Light Publishing...how many days until Christmas?

Big day at the Rock and Roll...

2010-12-15T10:32:00.000-08:00

...Hall of Fame and Museum! In addition to naming this year's class of inductees, they've also ordered "Their Love of Music" for their store! If your holiday plans include a visit to the Hall, make sure you check out the merch!

Even Santa is surprised!!

2010-12-15T08:24:00.001-08:00

This is simple. Fifteen-percent off EVERYTHING at Quiet Light Publishing! All books, all notecards, all limited editions…everything! Including our favorite collection of musician portraits!

Use promotion code: DEC2010 and finish your Christmas shopping with us!! Click the link to the right and you're there!

Merry Christmas and thanks for your incredible support!!

Just in time for that 'special' Xmas surprise...

2010-12-14T16:47:00.000-08:00

Quiet Light Publishing is pleased to announce the first set of Limited Edition Fine Art Prints from the collection Their Love of Music by photographer Stephen Azzato. These prints are from his book of the same name and include the artist’s portrait and quote from the book. Each is personally signed by both the musician and Steve. The editions are strictly limited to 50 prints, are 17”x 22” and printed on Epson archival fine art matte paper using archival inks. The starting price is $450.00 and will rise as the edition sells out. To learn more and place an order, visit Quiet Light Publishing HERE.

Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles

2010-12-14T05:45:00.000-08:00

One of the major reasons...

2010-12-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

...Steve took this project on was to be in a position to 'give back'. Well, last night at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation charity auction in Chicago, a copy of the book signed by Steve and Pinetop Perkins and a limited edition print also signed by them both brought a winning bid of $1100. Additionally, a copy of the book and a limited edition print of Dave Brubeck brought $700. Very cool and completely consistent with the vibe of the book! Congrats to all!!

Into the weekend with Ms. Malone!

2010-12-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

Nice Xmas original...

2010-12-09T08:16:00.001-08:00

Louisiana Music Factory

2010-12-08T16:48:00.000-08:00

What a fantastic place to spend an afternoon wanderin', lookin', listenin' and buyin'! The Louisiana Music Factory in New Orleans specializes in regional music of all types from Zydeco to R&B to Jazz and everything along the way. A huge selection of new titles and hard-to-finds in CDs along with videos, DVDs, t-shirts and...books! And - no surprise here - "Their Love of Music" is now on the shelves! And make sure to check out who might be stopping in for a live performance...here's one from a couple of years ago featuring one of our favorites, Theresa Andersson! Click HERE to visit them online!

For our friends in the region, get on over an grab a copy of the book before they're gone!!

Satch's Silent Night

2010-12-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

Traditional Yiddish folk tune...

2010-12-07T07:44:00.000-08:00

...with some updating by featured artist, Natalia Zukerman. She's joined by Anne Heaton, Meg Hutchinson and Antje Duvekot - all successful solo performers - in the seasonal collaboration, "Winterbloom".

George and The Destroyers say "Ho Ho Ho"!

2010-12-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

A Holiday Playlist From "Their Love of Music"

2010-12-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

We've started featuring holiday songs by artists included in the book and rather than make ya' wait to see them all, we'll preview the full list so you can listen now and later. A wonderful musical backdrop as you leaf through the book...

Dave Brubeck – A Tannenbaum
Aaron Neville – Louisiana Christmas
Rosanne Cash – How Many Christmases
Michelle Malone – Feels Like Christmas
Clint Black – Milk and Cookies
Loudon Wainwright – Christmas Morning
Blind Boys of Alabama – Silent Night
Shawn Mullins – Home For Christmas
Natalia Zukerman – The Riddle (Tumbalalaika)
Ramsey Lewis – Winter Wonderland
Joe Satriani - Silent Night
Jennifer Peterson – I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Peter Himmelman – Light Up The World
Richard Shindell – Mary Magdalene
Shawn Colvin – I Don’t Need Anything This Christmas
Suzy Bogguss – I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
Lonnie Brooks – Christmas on the Bayou
Shemekia Copeland – Stay a Little Longer, Santa
Allen Toussaint – The Day It Snows On Christmas
Tift Merritt – I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Ann Callaway - Silent Night
George Thorogood - Rock n Roll Christmas
Ingrid Michaelson - Christmas

Aaron Neville's hometown holiday...

2010-12-05T07:33:00.000-08:00

OK...it's time for the holiday tunes...

2010-12-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

And let's start with an incredible artist who turns 90 on Monday...yep, that's 90, ninety, 9...0, the BIG nine-oh! Happy Birthday, Dave and thanks for an amazing career of making magnificent music...enjoy Dave Brubeck's take on a holiday classic...

Congrats to all...

2010-12-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

...our 2011 Grammy nominees...

Not that kind of pod...

2010-11-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

Here's a podcast of Steve's interview yesterday on Rick Kogan's "Sunday Papers" program...CLICK HERE

Cyber, brick-n-mortar, etc.

2010-11-29T05:55:00.000-08:00

Cyber Monday? Well, everyday is a 'cyber' day here...look to the right of this post and you will find three opportunites to buy "Their Love of Music" online...just click and you're there! Need a better idea of what's in the book? Look at the post that precedes this one...

For folks who prefer it, you can find the book the old-fashioned way by walking in to one of the major book retailers and many independents...if your local bookstore doesn't have "Their Love of Music", suggest that they contact Quiet Light Publishing where we'll be happy to provide our wholesale program to them!

Don't forget to take a look at the "What we're hearing" sidebar to read some of the comments we've received that make everyone associated with the book very proud!

"What's inside the book?"

2010-11-28T06:18:00.000-08:00

Portraits and quotes of musicians...some legends, some 'up-and-comers', some just starting out. Here's a sampling...

Rick Kogan sure liked the book!

2010-11-28T05:40:00.000-08:00

His suggestion to buy "Their Love of Music" as a holiday gift in his conversation with Steve during this morning's interview was unprompted!

Honest!

But it is a great idea!

Jump over to Quiet Light Publishing and get yours signed by Steve for that special person who loves music, photography and art.

Listen up!

2010-11-27T06:34:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder for those of you up early tomorrow...Steve will be Rick Kogan's guest on his radio show, The Sunday Papers, between 7 - 7:30 a.m. He'll be talking about the book and sharing stories from the 'shoots' at WGN Radio 720 and online RIGHT HERE

That's a good idea...

2010-11-26T07:21:00.000-08:00

Back from the mall?

No luck with the "amazing blowout deals"?

Still hoping to find that perfect present?

Go to Quiet Light Publishing and select an elegant gift book that will be personally inscribed by the author. Take advantage of the special offer on the set of three current offerings from QLP, purchase some note cards or check out their posters and prints...

Spared no expense...

2010-11-24T12:52:00.000-08:00

...on this promotional piece!

Help a turkey and avoid Black Friday mayhem...go to Quiet Light Publishing and buy your gifts there!! The authors sign all books purchased!!

Thanks!

2010-11-23T05:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came out last night for the official launch of "Their Love of Music"! It was a fantastic evening!

Tonight!

2010-11-22T06:15:00.000-08:00

Come out tonight, meet Steve and have him personalize your copy of "Their Love of Music"! Should be big fun!

Book Launch Party at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Chicago Sun Times, Saturday 11/20

2010-11-20T06:35:00.000-08:00

Great piece...

NBC cameraman points lens at musicians in new book
BOOKS | NBC’s Azzato goes from ‘Today’ to still photos in three-year labor of love

November 20, 2010

BY DAVE HOEKSTRA dhoekstra@suntimes.com

For Stephen Azzato’s beautiful book Their Love of Music, the 117 color photographs were shot in a portable studio instead of concerts, fancy hotels and the back seats of limousines. So Dave Alvin, Luther Dickinson, Buddy Guy and other distinctive musicians appear in relaxed settings, giving the coffee-table book a sense of accessibility.

A book release party is set for 6-10 p.m. Monday at SPACE, 1275 Chicago in Evanston. SPACE co-owner and fine blues guitarist Dave Specter also is featured in the 252-page book ($65, Quiet Light Publishing; quietlightpublishing.com). Some of the subjects of the book, including Anna Fermin and Nora O’Connor, will be on hand.

Pinetop Perkins, the 97-year-old iconic blues pianist, was photographed at the House of Blues by Stephen Azzato. He landed on the cover of Azzato’s book Their Love of Music, which will be unveiled at a party Monday at SPACE.

Azzato comes at the music with a different perspective than better-known music photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Chicago’s Paul Natkin and the late Jim Marshall.

A Libertyville resident, Azzato is an NBC cameraman for the “Today” show and “NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams.”

“I’m not an established photographer,” said Azzato, 52. “This project started three years ago as a passion to see where it would go. I knew people in the music industry doing interviews for NBC, but not [at] the level of these people. It wasn’t until I got people like Aaron Neville and Steve Miller involved in the book that other people jumped on board. But then I didn’t want the book to be filled with famous people. I wanted people who were out there every night, giving the audience everything, but not filling huge stadiums.”

Azzato carried his muslin backdrop to venues such as FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, the House of Blues (where blues pianist Pinetop Perkins, who appears on the book’s cover, was photographed), SPACE and others. He shot digitally with a Canon high-resolution camera. Each photo is accompanied by a few lines of text in the artist’s own words.

For one photo, Azzato grabbed singer-songwriter Alice Peacock before a show at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Sitting down for a portrait is the last thing most artists want to do before a gig.

“You’re in a head space to perform,” Peacock said. “He went snap, snap, snap and that was that. He didn’t want you to pose or get stressed out. He wanted to take people as real people, and looking through the book, that’s what I was struck by. They are candid portraits.”

[Original article here]

Sun Times piece....

2010-11-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

...by Dave Hoekstra on "Their Love of Music"...

Love of the Game
By David Hoekstra on November 18, 2010 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of my favorite country music songs is Lefty Frizzell's 1973 hit "I Never Go Around Mirrors."

And I don't like cameras much either.

I like to take pictures of two lane highways, sunsets, rusty neon signs and girl friends. I have more than 200 color slides and 150 black and whites of my 1991 Route 66 trip from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier. Watch out.
But I hate to have my picture taken.

So it was hard for me to focus on the fact that Libertyville photographer Stephen Azzato actually took some portraits before artists went on stage for his passionate book "Their Love Of Music." [$65, Quiet Light Publishing, Evanston.]

The elegant coffee table book features 117 color photographs with minimalist commentary from the artists. Don't miss the book release party between 6-10 p.m. Nov. 22 at SPACE, 1275 Chicago Ave. in Evanston. There's a cash bar and complimentary hors d'oevures.[FULL ARTICLE HERE]

Steve on the airwaves again...

2010-11-17T15:05:00.000-08:00

On November 28th, Steve will be Rick Kogan's guest on his WGN program, The Sunday Papers, talking about "Their Love of Music" and sharing some stories about the genesis of the book, the journey along the way and how it feels to be a published author. Available on your radio or online at www.wgnradio.com.

Kogan has written for the Chicago Daily News, Chicago Sun-Times, and Chicago Tribune, where he is now a senior writer and columnist for the Sunday magazine. Kogan has been named Chicago's Best Reporter, Chicago's Greatest Living Journalist, and in 2003, he was inducted into the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame.

Great news for next week!

2010-11-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

The amazingly talented Anna Fermin will not only be signing her portrait in the book, but she'll be playing a set for us as well! Here's a vid of a full band show at SPACE a while back with none other than Grant Tye, another featured artist in "Their Love of Music", playing that well-worn and much-loved Strat! Check back later in the week for more surprises!

One week from today!

2010-11-15T10:56:00.000-08:00

Book Launch Party - "Their Love of Music" with photographer Steve Azzato

Time Monday, November 22 · 6:00pm - 10:00pm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location S.P.A.C.E.
1245 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, IL

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173601085987377
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Created By Tom Oakley

In ‘Their Love of Music’ photographer Steve Azzato has captured the essence of the creative spirit in the faces and words of the musicians themselves. In the simple quiet of a green room, without the crowds or bandmates or tour managers, Azzato’s photographs transcend the chaos of the stage and the intensity of the studio to reveal the inner spirit that drives each of his subjects.

Join Steve and publisher, Richard Mack, to celebrate the release of this fabulous collection which has been hailed by no less than Terry Stewart, CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as “Unlike anything I have ever seen!” Steve will be signing all books purchased and samples of Limited Edition prints from the book will be on display.

Cash Bar and complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served

Steve on The Today Show!

2010-11-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

Click HERE to view

One of the things...

2010-11-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

...we are hearing consitently about "Their Love of Music" is comments on the incredible mix of artists included in the book. Terry Stewart, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum said, "I really like the fact that there are plenty of people I know and plenty of people I don't".

Joe Shanahan, founder and owner of one of Chicago's premier venues, Metro, echoed that sentiment when he said, "I applaud you for finding the guys and gals that do not get the press or presence...these days. They get the short end of the press and photo ops, but are essential to all bands and music communities."

Tune in tomorrow around 8:25 EST/7:25 CST as Steve discusses that aspect of the book and more with Lester Holt on the Today Show...and he'll probably mention a few folks you know and some you don't, but should!

Confirmed!

2010-11-11T05:29:00.000-08:00

After your run, before your 10k ride, in your PJs with a coffee, whatever...check out Steve and Lester Holt on the plaza at the Today Show talking about "Their Love of Music"...Saturday, November 13th in the show's first hour (8a.m. EST, 7a.m. CST)...

Our "Cover Man"...

2010-11-10T10:59:00.000-08:00

Steve and Richard recently had a chance to sit with the incredible Pinetop Perkins as he autographed some copies of the book! What a treat!!

Nice piece on our publisher!

2010-11-09T14:36:00.000-08:00

BUILDING THE BUSINESS

Get the Picture? Valuable Lessons Quiet Light Learned

by Linda Carlson

Richard Mack chuckles about his career path to publishing being circuitous, but it’s easy to see how the past 30-some years have prepared him to create the high-quality coffee-table books offered at QuietLightPublishing.com, among other places.

The proprietor of Quiet Light Publishing started off as a forestry major at Oregon State University, but, scared off by high unemployment in forest resources, he returned home to Illinois after a year and earned a degree in photography and advertising. Along the way, inspired by a grandfather who designed commercial buildings, he took some architectural courses. Before Mack established his own photography business, he did a stint with the Santa Fe Railway, which he describes as “mostly printing old train pictures for rail fans.”

[Read more about QLP and Richard's decision to publish "Their Love of Music" here]

Just a reminder...

2010-11-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

...Steve will be appearing on the Today Show with author of the book's foreward, Lester Holt, on Saturday, November 13th! Keep an eye on this space for more specifics later this week...

Steve's interview with Chicago Tonight

2010-11-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

Steve on the 'other side' of the camera!

2010-11-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

...click HERE to watch the interview. And use the links to the right to purchase your very own copy!

Easy...

2010-11-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

...click here for details!

Gather the family 'round...

2010-11-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

...for Steve's appearance on Chicago Tonight! Tuesday, November 2nd, 7 - 8 p.m.!

Another good one!

2010-10-31T16:54:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T13:21:00.001-07:00

Thanks Jay!

2010-10-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

"Book arrived today--beautiful!!"

Jay Sieleman
Executive Director
The Blues Foundation
Memphis, TN

Didja' get yours yet?

2010-10-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

Let us know what you think...leave a comment, please!

Waaay better than early election results!!!

2010-10-28T09:59:00.001-07:00

Steve Azzato has been confirmed as a guest on Chicago Tonight on November 2nd, 7:00 p.m. - 8 p.m. He'll share some of the portraits and stories from "Their Love of Music" which sounds much more interesting than exit polls!!

Tune in and hear it from the author himself!!

Very cool...

2010-10-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

Wonderful praise for Steve and the book...

“Their Love of Music”...is really terrific and I will treasure this book as it is great to see the photos and read what makes people do what they do!

-- Joel Peresman
President & CEO
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation

They've arrived!

2010-10-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

The books are in, Steve signed the first batch tonight and they'll ship tomorrow!! Back at it, post 'adult beverage'!

Great article on a favorite of ours...

2010-10-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

The site of many of Steve's shoots and the upcoming (November 22nd) Book Launch Party, SPACE in Evanston, Illinois has quickly become a premier venue in the midwest for a full range of music experiences. The piece below does an great job of describing the development and philosphy of SPACE via an excellent interview with one of its founders and music industry veteran, Stuart Rosenberg...

- Linda Hansen
This is kind of a personal story about a personal place. It’s the sort of article that probably needs a byline because some of it springs from the sense that the Beatles saved my life as an ungainly teenager (so I understand the magical power of music) and about my experiences in the town where I live and where Shure had its low-rise corporate offices for decades before moving to a shimmering Helmet Jahn steel-and-glass monolith a couple of towns away.

I was surprised a couple of years ago to witness the quiet emergence of a live music venue just down the street from me, tucked behind a trendy bistro where it looked like a crowd of 20- and 30-somethings regularly gathered, in a pleasant storefront formerly occupied by an automobile dealership and an outdoor apparel store.

What surprised me more, as time marched on, were the performers who appeared there and the owners’ seemingly foolish (in my view) commitment to having live music almost every night. Read More!

Gettin' cold up here...

2010-10-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

...so let's hit North Mississipi for some warmin' up! The All Stars can handle that for us!!

Nice review from...

2010-10-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

...Frank E. Lee at Chicago's WXRT!!

Their Love Of Music — A Photo Gallery Of Music Greats

posted by: Frank E. Lee

Their Love Of Music is a beautiful coffee table book that won’t stay there long because it can’t easily be put down. It’s filled with superlative portraits of a wide variety of musicians from Chicago and elsewhere and their explanations about the source of their inspiration to follow a career in music. It’s simply but superbly photographed by Steve Azzato who works in television but is a master of the still lens as well. (He’s even taken of picture of me that didn’t break the Nikon.) Plus, profits from the book are being allocated to breast cancer and diabetes research. On sale now.

Original review link here

Steve on air...

2010-10-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

On November 13th, Steve Azzato will be on NBC's Today Show with Lester Holt, who wrote the foreword for Their Love of Music discussing the book and the process of creating it, artists they've interviewed and much more.

Mark your calendars and we'll be sure and remind you as the date approaches!

If you've ever wondered...

2010-10-18T07:43:00.001-07:00

…about the popularity of Fender guitars, put it to rest. Here’s a partial list of our featured artists that have been known to play a Strat or a Tele or a Precision. A couple of portraits too!

Bill Frisell
Grant Tye
Bo Ramsey
Chris Chew
Dave Alvin
Dave Mason
Fred Tacket
Ian Neville
Jason Rogers
Buddy Guy
Louie Zagoras
Paul Barrere
Redd Volkaert
Steve Miller
Susan Tedeschi
Tony Scherr
Tift Merritt, et al!

Quite impressive!!