IN CONSTANT MOTION
Steve Coleman
Commissioned by the City of Annonay and the Ardèche Department.
Steve Coleman: In Constant Motion
This exhibition invites the viewer on a journey through more than twenty years spent alongside Steve Coleman, a visionary saxophonist and a central figure in contemporary jazz. Since 2003, I have accompanied Steve as his tour manager, photographer, and archivist. This privileged role has given me the unique opportunity to document not only his concerts, but the entire life of a musician in constant exploration: backstage moments, encounters, travel, quiet interludes, and episodes of intense creation.
The photographs presented here reveal what usually remains out of sight, yet shapes every performance: the behind-the-scenes rituals, the transitions, the moments of silent concentration, bursts of laughter, unexpected meetings, exchanges with other artists, and the breaths between two concerts. They portray an artist deeply engaged in dialogue — with his musicians, with the audience, with the places he travels through, and with the inspiration that sometimes emerges in a corridor, a dressing room, or an airport. Steve Coleman’s music is not born solely on stage; it develops in a continuous movement, nourished by listening, observation, and an ever-present curiosity.
The stage itself appears as a space of total creation, a living laboratory where spontaneity, interaction, and risk are at the heart of every musical gesture. But the exhibition also highlights the human dimension of this journey: moments of complicity, shared laughter, exchanges with children during residencies, reunions with fellow musicians across the globe. These fragments all testify to the richness and depth of life on the road.
These images do not seek to glorify, but to reveal: intimate concentration, simple joy, occasional fatigue, and that singular energy which precedes or extends each concert. They invite us into the world of a rare creator, who understands music as a living language, in constant evolution.
— Dimitri Louis
Published on the occasion of the exhibition: Steve Coleman In Constant Motion
Commissioned by the City of Annonay and the Ardèche Department.
Bring the Soul of Jazz into Your Space
Discover a curated collection of exclusive, limited-edition fine art prints capturing the intensity and intimacy of Steve Coleman’s musical journey. Every photograph is a testament to twenty years of proximity and dialogue with one of the greatest visionaries of contemporary music.
These are more than just images; they are high-quality art pieces designed for jazz enthusiasts and photography collectors alike.
Museum-Quality Standards
Expert Curation: Each print is personally edited and color-graded by Dimitri Louis using the latest digital imaging technology to ensure the deepest blacks and perfect tonal range.
Premium Materials: We use archival-grade papers and inks that guarantee your print will last for generations without fading.
Authenticity: Certificate of Authenticity, signed by the artist, is available upon request.
Global Shipping: Professional packaging and tracked shipping worldwide to ensure your art arrives in pristine condition.
Sax Check
During a European tour, a Selmer technician had to intervene urgently to repair Steve’s saxophone. The scene takes place in his hotel room where, true to form, he keeps practicing tirelessly, with or without his instrument — often using whatever he has at hand.
Session at the Kimmel Center
Taken during a session at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, this image has become one of the emblematic photographs of Steve Coleman. Since 2014, it has illustrated most of his press kits and official representations.
Crossing Paths — Black Thought
Steve Coleman has always been able to bring people together beyond the strict circle of jazz musicians. He is often cited as a reference by artists from worlds as diverse as hip-hop, soul, and even contemporary classical music.
Moments of Reunion
Festivals around the globe are often opportunities to discover new musicians or reconnect with longtime companions. Between concerts and soundchecks, these moments become bubbles of sharing: revisiting memories, exchanging ideas, laughing about old stories. And when it comes to stories, Steve never runs out.
One More
Steve Coleman’s concerts are always exceptionally intense. At the end of the encore, an incredible energy often explodes as the musicians leave the stage, reflecting the powerful connection between the band and the audience.
Anthony Tidd
Anthony Tidd is one of the emblematic bassists of Steve Coleman’s group Five Elements. Along with Sean Rickman, he is among the musicians with the longest tenure in the band.
Jonathan Finlayson
Jonathan Finlayson has been a key member of all of Steve Coleman’s bands since 2001. He is also a discerning photographer, passionate about analog cameras. This photo was taken during a masterclass in Madrid.
Kokayi — Marathon
Steve Coleman’s masterclasses are often true marathons, sometimes lasting four to six hours without interruption. Here, Kokayi enjoys a brief pause before the session resumes.
Kokayi — Metrics
Kokayi is a member of the group Steve Coleman and Metrics. Since the early days, this exceptionally gifted MC has mastered the art of improvisation with rare ease, capable of engaging spontaneously with Steve’s complex music.
Backstage – New Morning
Before going on stage at the New Morning in Paris — a mythical venue for Steve Coleman, where he has played regularly since the late 1980s — the musicians prepare in a blend of calm and focus.
In the foreground, Anthony Tidd, a longtime companion since 1994, shares a moment of concentration before the concert.
The Space of Creation
For Steve Coleman, the stage is a privileged space of creation, a place of absolute freedom where the music is born in the moment. Each performance is a spontaneous exploration, without a safety net, guided solely by listening and by the energy shared between the musicians and the audience.
Lights Beyond the Frame
With Steve Coleman, a concert is a journey: you may know where it starts, but never where it will lead.
Here is the 20 photos selection for the upcoming exhibition in Annonay, France.
