Mark John

Basel, Switzerland

Mark John is a dedicated jazz photographer and visual artist with over 35 years of experience. Since 2017, he has specialized in the live jazz subgenre, driven by a passion for the whole ecosystem of recordings and cover art. His work is defined by the interdependency between performance and the document, seeking to elevate the visual representation of the music he loves.

A conceptual photographer, Mark’s eye is refined through masterclasses with Magnum icons Eli Reed and Alex Webb, and the atmospheric influence of Todd Hido. He prioritizes the "intangible": the raw emotions of a performer, whether capturing the heat of jazz or neo-classical atmospheres. Eschewing a fixed visual brand, he allows each subject to dictate an aesthetic authentic to their own energy.

Working primarily with Leica systems, Mark’s studio documentation earned him a 2023 Abbey Road Music Photography Awards nomination.

Read Mark's Spotlight Interview here.