Eric Dolphy and other jazz themed pieces

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1. Eric Dolphy, is one of my personal favorite drawings. He is also one of my favorite musicians. This piece is inspired by one of my favorite photographs. It is by the great photographer Francis Wolff. A photo taken during one of Dolphy's recording sessions. I love the flute solos from this multi instrumentalist. The flute in general is my favorite instrument, if I had to pick one to play. One of the reasons, is because of the beautiful Eric Dolphy, who passed away too soon. He also was an incredibly gifted alto saxophonist and bass clarinetist. I consider his Out To Lunch album, as the " great American novel " in a musical format, by this awesome performer.

2. Swingin' Easy ( For Sarah Vaughan) is a tribute to my favorite singer, The Divine One herself. I wanted to capture the vibe and energy, of being in an intimate and small jazz club, while watching an amazing performance. The excitement and awestruck sound of Sarah Vaughan is just so otherworldly and spiritual to me, as a listener. Her many vocal gifts, allow her to swing easy, as the title ( Taken from the name of an album by her ) suggests.

3. Ahmad Jamal, A Trumpet Player and The Alley Cat Blues, is also a tribute to another one of my favorite musicians. This piece just happened very spontaneously. It truly was an " improvisation " as many of my drawings have been. Especially from this period, in which the piece was created. I remember finishing this drawing, at work. A coworker looked at it, and said " A cat on a piano. That's not true. A cat would not sit on a piano, because its too loud. " I smirked, or something similar in response. I was thinking where is this man's imagination? This cat loves jazz! Especially when played by Ahmad Jamal!

4. Moonlight Serenade, is one of the early drawings created, while still getting more acquainted with ink washes. I consider it fairly successful, in its approach. It expresses a sense of poetry to me, about my love and appreciation of jazz music. 

5. Moonlight Serenade # 2 is a continuation of the spirit I experienced, while creating  "Serenade " # 1. 

6. Saturday Night Pool, is a piece that truly confirmed to me, I had found my " soulmate " of a medium. I knew after creating this particular drawing, that I could do anything with pen and ink. It is an improvised piece also, in every sense of the word. I began at work, during  break, with a ballpoint pen. I had been reading some classic African American literature, perhaps Langston Hughes or James Baldwin. Jazz music echoed through my imagination, as often, since it is played constantly by me. One idea led to another, and then the story of another scene unfolded. I went further into this room, on the paper, and continued to add elements. Suddenly this piece was born, and it is one I am most proud of from this period.