Lionel Ferbos, forever young!

Lionel Ferbos, New Orleans’ Grand Old Man of Jazz, celebrated his 100th birthday at The Palm Court Jazz Cafe on Decatur Street on Sunday, 17 July, 2011. When he was a mere 99 years old I was honoured and proud to have my jazz painting of Lionel presented to him at The Palm Court.

Recently I received the sad news from a close friend and jazz fan in LA: “Another famous jazz musician has died in New Orleans – Lionel Ferbos, age 103.
He played in every jazz festival until last year.”

So to honour a true Giant of Jazz and commemorate his passing, I’m featuring again my
Jazz & Jazz portrait and poem which I painted to celebrate his 99th birthday,
even then “the oldest active jazz musician in New Orleans and beyond”.

Jazz&Jazz fine art print of Portrait of Lionel

Long live Jazz, Long live Lionel Ferbos

Jazz in the tavern, jazz in Jackson Square.
Jazz at the Palm Court, when Lionel is there.
Of New Orleans legends and French Quarter stars,
Lionel is ubiquitous and has been so for years.

I write a poem to accompany each of my fine art prints of my jazz musician portraits and Lionel’s omnipresence inspired Long Live Lionel Ferbos.

Fine Art Giclée Prints of this portrait are available, with or without my descriptive poem. Simply email: [email protected] to place your order and help support jazz.

Like me, Fred Bromfield has a very special love for real McCoy New Orleans Jazz. His style, which he describes as “a visceral and raw expressionism capturing the spontaneity and freedom of traditional jazz” is very different from mine but I love his jazz art.

So here are two more of Fred’s jazz paintings.

“Pete Curtis’s New Orleans Echoes”

Although based in East Sussex, England, Fred’s painting of Pete Curtis’s New Orleans Echoes is for me faintly reminiscent of  jazz paintings from a bygone era in New Orleans’ famed Preservation Hall.

Alex Gardiner on Trombone

Fred’s rendition of his good friend, Alex Gardiner on “tailgate trombone playing earthy gutbucket” jazz with Trefor William’s Select Six at Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle ‘s March gig. There’s a certain fiery emotion in this work! Fred should know, he once played trombone himself.

For further information about the availability of Fred’s jazz art you can either email:  [email protected] or [email protected]

Eyes on the Master: Jazz Portrait of Amy Roberts and Sammy Rimington

Amy Roberts, then “the new kid on the block”, accompanying maestro Sammy Rimington at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Autumn Jazz Parade. Recognising Amy’s huge talent, Sammy invited her to play duet with him on the final evening of the Parade. The next morning I overheard him stressing the need to to persuade Amy to stay with jazz: “Amy’s got a natural talent and feel for the music. She’s got rhythm. She’s the future of jazz.”

Since then Amy has gone from strength to strength playing clarinet, sax and flute, and is featured in several other posts on Jazz&Jazz.

Jazz&Jazz Fine Art Print of “Eyes on the Master”

Eyes on the Master

Saxes reach crescendo
And bridge a generation
With rhythmic syncopation.
Spotlight on the Starlet
With eyes on the Pro.

I write a poem to accompany each of my fine art prints of jazz musician paintings and Amy and Sammy in duet inspired Eyes on the Master.

Fine Art Giclée Prints of this portrait are available, with or without my descriptive poem. Simply email: [email protected] to place your order and help support jazz.

See also: Portrait of Amy on Solo Sax and of Reeds in Duet, Amy playing with Adrian Cox.

Fred Bromfield describes his jazz art as “visceral and raw expressionism capturing the spontaneity and freedom of traditional jazz”.

Jazz & Jazz welcomes the opportunity to feature two of his most recent works: “Oh Play That Thing” featuring Pete Curtis on clarinet, Peter Leonard on trumpet and Alex Gardner on trombone playing with Trefor Williams’ Select Six at a recent Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle gig  and “Wailing the Blues”, a rendition in oil and sand on board of Pete Curtis on saxophone.

"Oh Play That Thing!"

"Wailing the Blues"

To view more of Fred’s art visit: www.nicholasbowlby.co.uk

For further information about the availability of Fred’s jazz art please email him at: [email protected]