Benjamin Amure – 1965-2016
Friday, July 1, 2016
The London jazz scene was shocked by the news that much respected photographer Benjamin Amure died on the morning of Friday 24 June.
His death was unexpected since he seemed indestructible, a man with boundless energy who was able to hold down a demanding day job as IT Development Manager at Lambeth College and continue a nocturnal existence as official photographer at Ronnie Scott's on three or more late-nights per week.
I first became aware of Ben’s remarkable eye for capturing that special visual moment around 12 years ago. I happened to glance over someone’s shoulder at a series of photos taken during a Tomorrow’s Warriors event. They were simply stunning, conveying a tangible excitement rarely seen in music photography. Subsequently, he voraciously captured the live scene at London venues such as Pizza Express and Spice of Life, often donning a woolly hat just before working the room with his Nikon.
His reputation as a photographer grew not only in jazz but also within the fashion world, culminating in a remarkable series of pictures for Earl of Bedlam whereby the musicians from Empirical and trumpeter Andy Davies were stylishly attired in Harris Tweed. Along with press photo publications in the major papers, Ben was commissioned for two Jazzwise magazine front covers and with personal pride, a full page spread featuring Soweto Kinch. Album photography provided another outlet for Ben’s skills, most notably for the CDs of much lamented New Orleans trumpeter Abram Wilson, with whom he formed a lasting friendship.
Eventually, Ben became a chronicler of the late shows at Ronnie Scott’s prior to photographing the main events. During the last couple of years, he formed a mutually satisfying partnership with fellow club photographer Carl Hyde.
Ben was much loved, a gentle soul, incorrigible jazz fan and superb photographer who adored the music and its wealth of characters. He was generous and supportive of his friends and colleagues, with a ready smile and an encouraging comment in every situation.
Ben is survived by his mother, Mrs J Amure, his siblings Sina, Femi, Kehinde, Lulu, Sandra and Yinka, and his three children Keith, Kaylon and Leah.
– Paul Pace
– Photo by Carl Hyde