The Trombonist

Lips tightly pursed
Cheeks fit to burst
Eyes in a glaze
Instrument ablaze
The trombonist takes it away.

British Star of New Orleans Jazz, trombonist Mike Pointon lets rip with his Lakefront Loungers at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Autumn Jazz Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk. Full of enthusiasm, Mike is a mainstay on the UK Jazz scene, renowned for his sense of humour and individualistic, raffish style.

I chose my jazz painting of Mike Pointon as an early image for JazzandJazz.com not only because his happened to be my first jazz portrait but also because Mike is the UK parallel to New Orleans based Barry Martyn as a writer, jazz historian and broadcaster. His most auspicious work, in association with Ray Smith, is no doubt the biography of one of the greatest UK trad jazz stars, Ken Colyer. Only recently published, the book is entitled “Goin’ Home: The Uncompromising Life and Music of Ken Colyer”. Details at: http://www.btinternet.com/~jazzworld/goinhome.htm

Mike, “trombonist, musicologist and broadcaster extraordinaire”, along with pianist Ray Smith, worked and recorded with Ken Colyer over the years.

More in the style of a caricature, I think my jazz portrait captures Mike’s subtle flamboyance. When he first saw the portrait he commented to me along the lines, “That’s wrong! Trombonists shouldn’t puff out their cheeks like that! But I do! I shouldn’t, so you’ve got it right!” I know he’ll forgive me for mentioning this.

Fine Art Print of Jazz Portrait of Greg Stafford in Dew Drop Hall

Modern day stalwart of traditional jazz, blues and old time gospel music, in this jazz portrait New Orleans star Greg Stafford conjures up echoes from the past in a hypnotic performance at Mandeville’s Dew Drop Hall.

Fine Art Print of Jazz Portrait of Dr Michael While in Dew Drop Hall

Jazz portrait displaying “the spirit of the best New Orleans clarinetists”. Dr Michael White follows in the footsteps of traditional jazz greats at Mandeville’s Dew Drop Hall.

Echoes of the Past

At the time of writing this, two years have passed since I met two of New Orleans greatest living jazz musicians at legendary Dew Drop Hall, across Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville.

The occasion was a farewell party for the 2010 Ken Colyer Trust French Quarter Tour Group. Along with Barry Martyn’s band, Michael White and Greg Stafford entranced the audience of ardent fans with their hypnotic performances.

In the shadow of jazz greats like Kid Ory, Bunk Johnson, Buddy Petit and Louis Armstrong, these two deeply committed musicians conjured up echoes of the past and the very best of the spirit and legacy of New Orleans.

I count it a privilege to have painted their jazz portraits which were presented to them during the April 2011 Southern Sounds New Orleans Tour.

Jazz Art Details on Portrait of Greg Stafford

Jazz Art Details on Portrait of Dr Michael White

Jazz Art Details on Portrait of Barry Martyn