Some truly great things come to us in small doses, and so it is with a modest collection of photographs by Gary Saretzky that are now on display through the end of December at the Trenton Free Public Library (120 Academy St.).
These photographs, both color and black-and-white, are full of personal details that tell an engaging story of the artist (and the instrument) at a precise moment. All the subjects are jazz and blues musicians who have played in Trenton, some of them many times, and they reflect an active jazz and blues regional presence, as these shots were taken by Saretzky during performances in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Some of the images were taken at Bucks County Blues Society events.
Saretzky began his shutterbug career as a boy in 1972, and he eventually became a noted photography teacher at Mercer County Community College for over 35 years. He has authored two beautifully illustrated large books that feature these impressive musicians: Blues Musicians, Photographs, 2006-2010; and Blues Musicians 2, Photographs, 2004-2013. For more information on the books, see blurb.com; and on Gary D. Saretzky, see saretzky.com.
Trentoniana is a special collection of the Trenton Free Public Library that focuses on the history of the City of Trenton. The Saretzky exhibit is located in the atrium gallery adjacent to the Poetry Café, near the Trentoniana.