Ancient Infinity Orchestra begin their concert at 91 Living Room, Brick Lane, London

Music has always arrived before photography in my life. It got there first, stayed longer, and shaped how I listen to the world — which, it turns out, is not entirely different from how I've learned to look at it. Parents are always a big influence, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. Jeffrey, my dad, for example, has always loved the more folksy side of music in the UK and loved the American Country and Western artists Don Williams springs to mind, and Dolly Parton for two big reasons. My mum Rita, however, has a much more eclectic taste, leaning more toward popular music and she was heavily influenced by the world of stage musicals.

The two biggest influences were my brother and my sister. Julie was a few years older than me. She gave me the sound of Motown, Marvin Gaye being her favourite artist and that led to my love of Stevie Wonder. Terry, on the other hand, gave me the most widely ranging love of music from all genres. Pink Floyd being another major love of mine. The inimitable 5/4 time of “Money” is something that I recognised from my first venture into Jazz with the fabulous “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck. Yes, that’s how old I am.

The Leica Q2 Monochrom had just arrived in my life when I left for Paris, France to attend a street photography masterclass with Phil Penman. Arriving in Paris a day early at the rather chic and centrally located apartment close to the Eiffel Tower, I connected my phone to the active speakers in the flat to listen to a downloaded Mixcloud stream. Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy has a weekly show there called “Balearic Breakfast” to which I am an avid listener and subscriber. As the first notes of the first song on the playlist emanate from the speakers, my spine tingles. It’s a string and choral introduction with a Jazz influence. I am genuinely moved by the beautiful arrangement and sonorous voices filling this little Parisienne oasis. Colleen tells me I’ve just been listening to Equanimity by Ancient Infinity Orchestra on the Gondwana Record Label. I pre-order the album instantly.

Solitary figure at sunrise before the Eiffel Tower, Paris — colour landscape photography by Marc Stanford — The Eiffel Tower at Sunrise

After following the Orchestra on social media I hear of their first concert being arranged in London and book tickets. Contacting the leader of the Orchestra, Ozzy Moysey, I organise a shared event on Internations London Group and let Ozzy know that it should help toward the event being a sell out and, by the way, would I be able to get some photos of the band. Ozzy was delighted that I enjoyed the music so much and pleased that I was going to be there to record the event in pictures. If you haven't heard them yet, both albums are available on Bandcamp — start with River of Light, then go straight to It's Always About Love.

91 Living Room is a small, intimate venue situated in the heart of Brick Lane, London near the Truman Brewery. Almost too small for a 14 piece Jazz Ensemble but that just added to the atmosphere of their debut London gig which was a sellout after being championed by both Colleen and also Jamie Cullum on his Radio 2 Jazz Show.

Deciding to take both Canon R6 and Leica Q2M meant that I should consider the best and most efficient way to use both cameras. Opting for the recently acquired 85mm f2 STM for the R6 made the most sense as the perfect foil to the 28mm f1.7 Summilux permanently attached to the Leica. The combination of wide apertures on both lenses, the portrait form factor of the 85mm and the flexibility of the big image sensor allied to the 28mm wide angle on the Monochrom to cover all eventualities. The plan was to convert all the colour images from the Canon to make it a completely black and white portfolio. Over 200 frames taken on the night. Over 30 worth keeping. Every one of them made in a room where the music was so good it was almost a distraction from the joy of making pictures.

Since that London Debut to promote the release of their first album River Of Light, Ancient Infinity Orchestra have gone on to play at The North Sea Jazz Festival and We Out Here, the festival founded by Gilles Peterson, Released a second album, It’s Always About Love and have dates coming up in April at The 100 Club, Jazz Stroud and Hamburg, Germany – Elbphilharmonie. Follow links below for the albums on Bandcamp, the upcoming concert dates and for Ancient Infinity Orchestra on Social Media.

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April 4, 2026: Hamburg, Germany – Elbphilharmonie

April 9, 2026: Stroud, UK – The Goods Shed – (Jazz Stroud)

April 16, 2026: London, UK – The 100 Club – (with London Ambient Orchestra)