Jazz Art

Jazz art is a genre of art that combines elements of jazz music and visual art. It is often characterized by its use of improvisation, syncopation, and blue notes. Jazz art can be found in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, and film.

One example of jazz art is the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat was a Haitian-American artist who rose to prominence in the 1980s. His work often explored themes of race, poverty, and urban life. Basquiat was a master of improvisation, and his paintings are full of energy and movement.

Thomas Biggers, born in 1924 produced works critical of racial and econominc injustice. He studied African myths and legends and was drawn to the creation stories of a matriarchal deistic system, contrasting with the patriarchal images of the European world. A founding chairman of the Texas Southern University he painted murals in African-American communities, many are located in Houston, TX.

Romare Bearden is another prominent figure in the history of jazz art. Bearden was an African-American artist who worked in a variety of media, including painting, collage, and printmaking. His work often explored themes of African-American history and culture. Bearden was a master of color and texture, and his paintings are full of life and vitality.
 
Another important contributor to jazz art is California artist E.J. Gold. He was the official artist for the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) from 2003 - 2008. Gold's large art pieces have shared the stage during major performances with musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Ted Nash, Vijay Iyer, Billy Taylor, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan. Gold's art has been shown and installed at the White House, in museums, galleries and private collections.
 
Jazz art is a vibrant and exciting genre of art that continues to evolve and grow. It is a powerful medium for expressing a wide range of emotions and ideas. If you are interested in learning more about jazz art, I encourage you to explore the work of Basquiat, Bearden, Gold and other artists who have made significant contributions to this genre.

Here are some additional facts about jazz art:

   • Jazz art is a relatively new genre of art, having emerged in the early 20th century.
   • Jazz art is often associated with the Harlem Renaissance, a period of African-American cultural and artistic achievement that took place in the 1920s and 1930s.
   • Some of the most famous jazz art artists include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Romare Bearden, E.J. Gold, and Jacob Lawrence.
   • Jazz art can be found in a variety of museums and galleries around the world.
   • Jazz art is a popular genre of art for collectors.
   • Jazz art is a growing and evolving genre of art that continues to attract new artists and audiences.

– Mike McDonnell
 
Note: the image above is "Breaking Barriers" by EJ Gold from his JazzArt series.