Aperture will release Alex Webb's upcoming book, Walking Blues, in 2026. The project documents connection within 40 American cities, using the spirit of blues music as its creative guide.
A decade of visual improvisation across 40 US cities
Alex Webb has spent more than ten years documenting the shifting landscapes of American urbanity. As the report indicates, the upcoming book Walking Blues serves as a culmination of this long-term exploration, using the "lift and pull" of blues music as a creative compass. This isn't just a collection of snapshots; it is a rhythmic study of how communities connect in unexpected ways.
The imagery spans a wide chronological and geographic range, capturing moments from Erie, Pennsylvania, in 2010 to Oakland, California, in 2025. By weaving together these disparate moments—from the Mardi Gras celebrations in Galveston, Texas, in 2017 to the streetts of New York in 2019—Webb attempts to create a singular, syncopated narrative of the American experience. Other notable locations mentioned include Indianapolis, Indiana, and St. Louis, Missouri, showcasing a deep dive into the nation's urban fabric.
The December 8th event and the SVA exhibition
To mark the release of Walking Blues, a series of high-profile events will take place in late 2026. According to the announcement, a featured conversation between Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris Webb is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8, at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York. This event will be hosted by the MFA Photography, Video, and Related Media Department.
The book's launch is further supported by a dedicated exhibition running from November 18, 2026, through January 10, 2027.. For collectors,Aperture is offering a limited-edition set that includes a deluxe version of the book paired with a signed, numbered 8 x 10-inch print. This specific print features the photograph titled "Philadelphia, PA (2025)," which also serves as the image on the back of the book cover.
The missing pieces of the 40-city map
While the announcement provides a fascinating glimpse into the scope of the project, several details regarding the full collection remain unverified. The report highlights specific locations such as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, St.. Louis, and New Orleans, but it does not explicitly name all 40 cities included in the volume. This leaves enthusiasts wondering which other American hubs Webb visited during his decade of travel.
Furthermore, while the connection to blues music is the central creative pillar, the source does not detail how Webb specifically translated musical structures into visual compositions. It remains to be seen whether the "rhythm" mentioned is purely a thematic metaphor or if it manifests in specific technical photographic choices that mimic musical improvisation.
Building on a legacy of 15 published volumes
Alex Webb, born in San Francisco in 1952 , is no stranger to the complexities of color photography. This upcoming release marks his latest major contribution to a career that already includes more than 15 published books. His work has long been defined by a mastery of bold color and the ability to find order within the chaos of street photography.
Walking Blues represents a significant milestone in Webb's ongoing dialogue with the American landscape. By moving through 40 cities over ten years, Webb is not just documenting locations, but rather the "improvisation of chance encounters" that define modern life. This project reinforces his position as a premier chronicler of the human condition through a lens of vibrant, rhythmic color, building upon the foundation of his previous surveys of color work.
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