T Time

I'll admit it. I'm a Mad T Party fanboy.

In general when a really great band comes to town, I've got to get out to see them. I love love love the concert-going experience. I love the energy of crowds that are joined together to cheer on the performance. I crave the musicianship. I devour the pageantry. I...Am...Music!

Having easy access to Disney California Adventure, I've been seeing plenty of performances lately by the Mad T Party band. This Alice in Wonderland themed entertainment offering was added to the Hollywood Backlot as a replacement to ElecTRONica, which offered Guests an opportunity to see what life would be like within the game grid of TRON. Prior to that, Disney California Adventure first got into the nightlife business with the 2010 debut of Glow Fest. But Glow Fest was just the tip of the iceberg. It was all leading to this. It was heading for T Time!

Recently I decided to bring my camera with me for a performance, and am happy to share some of my favorite images. The band itself is comprised of many talented musicians and singers, many of whom perform all throughout Disneyland and also pop up with other acts all over the south land. I'm fanboying out, it's true, but I'm really enjoying getting to see these amazing performers do what they do best, and getting to know their individual spirits along the way!

The White Rabbit, on the ones and twos

Who knew bass playing rabbits wore furry Dr. Martin's!?

The Cheshire Cat looking directly into my soul, as cats will do

I caught Alice looking in my direction a moment before she took to the stage

Alice, and her bright-smiling reflection

I really enjoyed this happy accident - an Alice and Hatter visual mash up

Dormouse gets in on the reflection fun

This Girl is On Fire!

Alice gets down with the Caterpillar

Alice Shreds!!!

Next time you're visiting Disney California Adventure, stick around and see for yourself what it's like in Wonderland. Now, don't forget...use the buttons below this post and SHARE these images with your friends!

Dizzy Chase Scene

It's not every day that a legitimate rock 'n' roll star plops down in your own backyard to perform for a couple hundred college grads, free of charge. But that's exactly what happened recently on the steps of the Grove House at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA. The occasion? Each year, the Pitzer College Alumni Association throws a big bash to celebrate those who have gone before and to look forward to yet another class that will soon be joining the alumni ranks. This year was no exception and, as is tradition, the night would not have been complete without some great music to keep the former student body dancing. As advertised, the evening's entertainment was provided for alumni, by alumni. Greg Jackson hosted a full band rock 'n' roll set with his band, 90 Proof. And singer/song-writer Erica Chase kicked off the festivities with some high-energy covers and plenty of soulful originals as well. What the crowd didn't expect was that Erica had brought along some keyboard reinforcement - from none other than Guns N Roses' own Dizzy Reed! It was a real treat to hear this modern rock legend from just a few steps away, and he did a fantastic job in his supporting role. Meanwhile, the real star performer was Erica, and she kept the crowd engaged as she belted out song after song. I was in the right place at the right time to capture Erica and Dizzy's memorable performance.

Rico Rox!

I love being a photographer. And I love being a musician. And I really love it when these two worlds have a chance to come together. And I rub-a-dub-dub love it when I find other musicians and performers who are looking to have awesome images of themselves looking their best and most rockin'est! (It's a real word, I promise.) My pal Rico Molden plays bass in the amazing local cover band, 90 Proof (of course, so do I...but that's beside the point). He posed for me recently before a gig in Riverside, CA. We only had a few minutes to catch what little ambient light was still in the sky before Rico and the rest of 90 Proof took the stage before a packed Friday night crowd at Lake Alice Trading Co. I mixed the setting sunlight with my speedlite to get some edgy and industrial looking pictures. I even incorporated the headlights of a car into a few shots to enhance the urban feel.

I hope you enjoy these images. Thanks to Rico for the use of his likeness!

As a reminder, I welcome your comments. And if you are a musician, DJ, actor, performing artist, or someone looking to have their musical side portrayed - I am available to create an amazing experience for you! Feel free to get in touch : )





















All images copyright Jason Barrett Photography

OC Music Awards - Best Acoustic, Night Six

Night Six!! Really?! No way, that has to be a mistake...right? The OC Music Awards showcases are already waning, though it seems like they began only yesterday. Night six was yet another great acoustic performance, featuring five up and coming talents - Justin Soileau, Micah Brown, Parker Macy Blues, Danny Maika, and FoxxHound - as they battled ahead to attempt a spot in the Best Live Acoustic Finals, which will take place at the Fullerton Museum on Thursday, February 24th.

I learned a lot this evening, as it happens. First, it's nice to have friends at your side. I was pleased to have company tonight with my friends Rico and Eric. Rico has a brand new camera, and was excited to join me to try his hand at live band photography. I also learned that it is more difficult than it appears to navigate a filled-to-capacity coffee shop in order to get into prime shooting position - helps to have friends in this case, too. After all, there's safety in numbers when you have to shove your way up to the front. Finally, I learned that there are two different Gypsy Dens in Orange County, and if you wanted to see live music on this fine Tuesday, you weren't going to find it back down at the Anti Mall (home to the other Gypsy Den). So after the drive back up from Costa Mesa to Santa Ana, I was a bit tardy arriving tonight and, as a result, missed Justin Soileau's set entirely. I was bummed, but I hope to catch him next time around.

Please enjoy some of my favorite shots from tonight...and be sure to tell your friends who perform live - Jason Barrett Photography is available for hire, and ready to capture their live energy as well!


Micah Brown










Parker Macy Blues














Danny Maika












FoxxHound











The OC Music Awards Showcase continues next Tuesday with the Best Live Bands, night seven, at the Slide Bar in Fullerton, CA. Two of my recent favorites, Echo Echo and Stereofix will be playing. Make plans to check them out, won't you?