Jazz Portrait of Trefor Williams – Double Bass Ace

August 5, 2011 By 2 Comments

Jazz Portrait of Trefor “Fingers” Williams, Double Bass Ace

How could I not be inspired to paint my jazz portrait of Trefor ‘Fingers’ Williams’ intensely passionate performances on Bertha, his double bass, at the 2008
Ken Colyer Trust Jazz Parade?

Trefor is a driving and inventive player who adds sympathetic support and superlative solo work to the dynamics of jazz. Versatile on vocals, with the bow and slap bass, Trefor stands high in my estimation of modern day jazz greats and without doubt will be the subject of more of my jazz paintings and portraits sooner rather than later.

Fine art print of jazz portrait of Trefor Williams on Bass

Double Bass Ace

“Fingers” Williams
Setting the pace
Passion in action
Double bass ace.
Joyous Jazz Fusion
In tonal embrace.

‘Art & Verse’ Copyright © 2008 Peter M Butler. All rights reserved

I was over the moon to receive this accolade from Trefor, always such a thoughtful man. Mind you, notice the colour of his hair in this painting? It’s time for another portrait of him! 

“What a pleasant surprise to receive your portrait of me. I’m very flattered that you considered me a worthy subject. Thank you for devoting your time and talent. It’s a very thoughtful study and the words are very touching. May God continue to bless you and your very special gift.”
Trefor ‘Fingers’ Williams

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.

 

Filed Under: Jazz Art

The Fallen Heroes

August 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

JazzandJazz.com features portraits by jazz artist, Peter Mark Butler. These portraits and his enthusiasm for and growing involvement with jazz inspired him to launch the website, using his portraits and photographs as a catalyst in raising the profile of jazz.

So over to Peter, and where better to begin than with a band whose leader is himself an artist who paints jazz musicians.

Emile on Drums

“When I took my camera along to a “Fallen Heroes” gig in Faversham, Kent, I asked band leader, Emile Martyn, if I could take photos. Upon seeing samples of my work, Emile said to go ahead. Hence my portrait of “Emile on Drums” to which he responded: “Fantastic, Peter, you’ve got a talent for capturing people”.

‘The Fallen Heroes” are famed for their high energy performances of blues, funky jazz and contemporary New Orleans street beat. Emile and his brother Ben are sons of New Orleans based jazz legend, Barry Martyn. A fan at a recent Fallen Heroes gig at the 100 Club said; “Who said jazz musicians are all oldies, this band is full of youngsters”.

“I have also completed a painting of Tony Rico (sax), Paul Bonner (trumpet) and Ben Martyn (bass and vocals). Sadly I belatedly learned that Paul Bonner died in January, 2011, after an illness spanning several months. I got to know Paul at Fallen Heroes gigs, often chatted with him, and his passing touched me all the more in view of my portrait of him alongside Ben Martyn and Tony Rico.”

Paul Bonner on trumpet alongside Tony Rico (sax) and Ben Martyn (bass & vocals)).

Norman on clarinet, Graham on sousaphone and Paul on trumpet. (Photo by P.M.Butler Art&Verse)

Emile Martyn and The Fallen Heroes can be contacted via: http://www.myspace.com/fallenheroesinfo

 

Filed Under: Jazz Bands

Rising Jazz Stars

August 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It bears repeating what an ardent fan recently said tome at a Fallen Heroes session: “Who said jazz musicians are all oldies, this band is full of youngsters!”. Nevertheless, jazz oldies by far outnumber the youngsters and if trad jazz is to make that long awaited comeback onto the big stage we need to applaud it’s rising stars.

So for starters let’s feature Amy Roberts, Adrian Cox , Baby Jools and Ian Wynne.

AmyRobertsAmy Roberts

I first met Amy at the 2008 Ken Colyer Autumn Jazz Parade in Hemsby, Norfolk, where Sammy Rimington invited her to join him in a saxophone duet.

Afterwards I overheard Sammy saying: “Amy’s got a natural talent and feel for the music. She’s got rhythm. She’s got swing. She’s the future of jazz.”

Voted winner of the British Jazz Awards Rising Star Category in 2009, Amy also placed second in the 2010 awards.

Just in her 20s, she joined the Big Chris Barber Band early in 2011. More recently along with Richard Exall she launched the ‘Amy Roberts Richard Exall Quintet’ which was voted ‘Band of the Year 2013/2014’ and presented ‘The Harry Cameron Trophy’.

Adrian Cox

I’ve got to know Adrian Cox through his scintillating performances with T J Johnson (www.tjjohnson.co.uk/) at The Crypt, St Martin in the Fields, London, guesting with The Fallen Heroes as well as Barry Martyn and the Young Bloods at the 100 Club and at the 2009 and 2010 Autumn Jazz Parades in Hemsby. No matter what the occasion he is always happy to stop and chat and he undoubtedly charms the ladies. Adrian featured in the 2010 British Jazz Awards on clarinet. He now stars regularly with “The Adrian Cox Quartet”.

He starred in a stunning saxophone duet with Amy Roberts at the 2010 Hemsby Autumn Jazz Festival and below is my acrylic painting and my poem capturing them putting on the style.

Amy and Adrian putting on the style. Acrylic portrait by Peter M Butler.

Reeds in Duet

Saxophone and clarinet
Reeds in duet
Amy and Adrian
Trad Jazz’s Jet Set

Keeping the spirit of jazz alive, Amy Roberts and Adrian Cox steel the show
with a stunning duet at the 2010 Autumn Jazz Parade
in Hemsby, Norfolk.

Dynamic Baby Jools

Dynamic Baby Jools

Baby Jools

Baby Jools (Julyan Aldridge) gave a phenomenal performance on drums with Max Collie’s Rhythm Aces during the Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle festival in July, 2011.

When just 19, Baby Jools was described on Max’s website as having “lots of drive and swing.” (www.maxcollie.co.uk)

He was a driving force with Matt Palmer’s Millennium Jazz Band, starred with the Chris Barber Band and also plays drums for the Bennett Brothers. Nowadays you will see him with “Baby Jools & The Jazzaholics”

Baby Jools is high on my list of future portraits but should you be interested in placing an advance order for an Art& Verse fine art print, please email me at: [email protected] and I will prioritise the portrait.

Brilliant young pianist, Ian Wynne

Brilliant young pianist, Ian Wynne

Ian Wynne

I was blown out of the water by Ian Wynne’s stunning piano performance with the Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band at Hemsby’s 2011 Autumn Jazz Parade. Ian joined the Rae Brother’s “under the auspices of his mother” and now, still in his early 20s, his keyboard skills already emulate great jazz pianists like Emile Van Pelt and Ray Smith.
The Rae Brothers took him under their wing and encourage his studies at Birmingham Conservatoire. He told me he had to head back straight after the festival for a special assignment.

If you are interested in any of my Fine Art Gicée Prints, simply email: [email protected] to place your order and help support jazz.

Filed Under: Jazz Art, Jazz Bands

Capturing Cuff on Trumpet

July 25, 2011 By 1 Comment

Jazz Portrait of Cuff Billett on Trumpet

My jazz portrait of Cuff Billett captures him giving a rousing, virtuoso performance with The Lakefront Loungers at the Ken Colyer Trust 2008 Autumn Jazz Parade. Roguish, even eccentric, Cuff is famous for his superb talent and intense, intuitive, warm-toned style.

I completed Cuff’s jazz portrait a while ago but was spurred to display it again due to the interest of a new found American friend whose incredible wealth of knowledge and experience of traditional jazz spans the decades and even goes back to the greats and venues of bygone eras.
Cuff on Trumpet is one of his favourites.

Fine art print of the jazz portrait of Cuff Billett on Trumpet

Cuff Billett on Trumpet

Caressing the high notes
Pitching to low,
A jazz virtuoso
In enrapturing solo.
Improvisation off the cuff.
The trumpeter struts his stuff.

Fine Art Giclée Prints of this portrait can be available, with or without my descriptive poem. Simply email: [email protected]
if you are interested.

Filed Under: Features, Jazz Art, Jazz Events

Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle Jazz Portraits

July 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In 2011 I was asked to paint jazz portraits of musicians from local bands booked for Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle for display during the festival. These included:

Fine art print of jazz painting “Trombone and Drums”

Trombone and Drums
Trad at The George, Vocalion style,
Sam on ‘bone, Mark on drums,
Playing with guile,
Good reason for fans to linger a while.

The Vocalion Band, led by Sam Weller, hails from Medway, Kent, and is a favourite with trad jazz fans. In this acrylic jazz portrait Sam is playing alongside drummer Mark Alexander at The George in Shalmsford Street, Chartham.
‘Art & Verse’ Copyright © 2011 Peter M Butler. All rights reserved

A Very Mean Sax. Fine art print of jazz portrait of Ivan Gandon

A Very Mean Sax
Beneath the rim of his familiar cap
Ivan’s won fame
For a very mean sax.
Gandon by name,
A gentleman by nature,
His grit on vocals
Puts the best to shame.

One of jazz’s grand characters, Ivan Gandon plays sax and clarinet with the Medway, Kent, based Vocalion Band led by Sam Weller. This is one of my favourite jazz paintings.
‘Art & Verse’ Copyright © 2011 Peter M Butler. All rights reserved

Fine art print of Jazz Portrait of Gerry Birch

Jazz at The George
Gerry hot wired,
Sousaphone fully fired,
For Jazz at The George
Intense, inspired.

Gerry Birch hails from East Kent where he repairs brass instruments and leads his own band, The Stour Valley Jazzmen. A friendly setting for jazz paintings, The George in Shalmsford Street, Chartham, Kent, is a regular venue for his trad jazz club.
Copyright © 2011 Peter M Butler. All rights reserved

Laurie Palmer, drummer with Burt Butler’s Jazz Pilgrims, commissioned this jazz portrait of him on drums during the festival.

Jazz Portrait of Laurie Palmer on drums with Burt Butler’s Jazz Pilgrims

Drums on the Prom
Bass Drum, Snare Drum,
Cymbals and Tom
Full regalia on the prom
Laurie Palmer takes Stage One.

The jazz drummer is usually obscured back stage behind the trumpets, trombones and saxophones, yet he sets the beat for the band. But playing with Burt Butler’s Jazz Pilgrims harbourside in Ramsgate, Kent, during the 2011 Seaside Shuffle Trad Jazz Festival, for his jazz portrait Laurie Palmer starred front stage, his drum kit on full display.
‘Art & Verse’ Copyright © 2011 Peter M Butler. All rights reserved.

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

Filed Under: Jazz Art

Betty Renz Steels the Show

July 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I first met Betty Renz at The Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable, Kent, singing with Burt Butler’s Jazz Pilgrims and she instantly inspired my jazz portrait of her. Back in 2010, Betty was the inspiration and driving force behind “Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle”, a brand new jazz festival launched in July, 2011, and still going strong to this day. 

Jazz Portrait of Betty Renz

Betty Steels the Show

In deepest Kent
At The Duke of C,
Betty steels the show
At the Jazz Jamboree.

Portrait and poem by Peter M Butler.
‘Art & Verse’ Copyright © 2011 Peter M Butler. All rights reserved.

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.

Filed Under: Jazz Art

Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle’s 2012 Programme

June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Logo designed by Jazz&Jazz

Jazz & Jazz aims to become a force for jazz by galvanising jazz fans everywhere into a trad jazz revival and by winning over a younger generation of fans to swing along with jazz pizzazz. Jazz Festivals are as popular as ever and each year fans flock to them from The Isle of Bute to The Isle of White and from Bude in Cornwall to Hemsby in Norfolk.

So even in these difficult times Jazz & Jazz was elated to have been involved in the successful launch off “Seaside Shuffle”, a brand new Jazz Festival held in Ramsgate, Kent, early in July, 2011. And now we are over the moon to announce that “Seaside Shuffle” lives on, not just with a new festival for 2012 but also in preparing the launch of monthly trad jazz gigs in Ramsgate!

So watch this space!

Consequently we are proud to have received the following acclamation from local resident and jazz singer, Betty Renz, the inspirational founder of and driving force behind the festival: “I can’t thank you enough for your contribution because none of the people who spent the weekend here would have come without your Jazz Guide advert. That was the key. Without that it wouldn’t have got off the ground. It was reading the Jazz Guide that initially gave me the idea.”

Having worked so hard in launching the 2011 festival, Betty is no longer directly involved but has left everything in the hands of  a very capable “Seaside Shuffle” Committee. Click here to view Betty’s portrait.

Max Collie at the Granville Theatre

The Gambit Jazzmen lead the Brolly Parade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photos © Peter M Butler)

Brollies Galore at Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle
8th, 9th and 10th July, 2011

Traditional Jazz at its Best!

Brollies galore on parade, all shapes and sizes, multi-coloured, highly decorated with tassels and fringes, iridescent in the bright Summer sun!

It was the day Seaside Shuffle came to Ramsgate Seafront with Trad Jazz in all its glory. Burt Butler’s Jazz Pilgrims set the tone, hitting the high notes with their repertoire of jazz favourites. The sun shone, the crowds thronged and then The Gambit Jazzmen along with Ramsgate’s Beauty Queen and her Maids of Honour led the grand New Orleans style Brolly Parade.

The entire Seaside Shuffle Festival was a resounding success, and it was a day and a weekend for Ramsgate to remember.

St James Hall, Broad Street, hosted The Vocalion Jazz Band, The Stour Valley Jazz Band, The Blue Rhythm Kings and the Gambit Jazzmen and the festival was rounded off by the Max Collie Rhythm Aces at The Granville Theatre.

Three whole days of fabulous jazz which the Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle organisers are already planning to repeat in 2012.

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Portrait Commission – “Take it Away, Ray!”

April 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Hemsby Jam Session, 2010

Ray’s highly popular 2011 Hemsby Autumn Parade Jam Session

Ray Colyer is a mainstay of the East Kent jazz scene, where we were both involved in helping launch the UK’s latest and successful Jazz Festival, Ramsgate Seaside Shuffle, back in 2011. We have since become close friends and join forces annually at the Hemsby, Norfolk, Autumn Jazz Parade.

Ray isn’t only a jazz fan, he is also a darn good trumpeter and vocalist too and plays with several bands at each and every opportunity. So much so that when he led a small group of enthusiasts in a spontaneous jam session at the 2011 Autumn Jazz Parade, they got a following all of their own and by popular demand were “booked” to perform the next day as well. Mind you, they were reinforced by “Anything Goes” clarinetist and saxophonist Laurie Fray who played
some mean solos during the sessions.

“Take it away, Ray” Portrait by Peter M Butler commissioned by Ray Colyer.

Ray asked me if I could paint a jazz portrait of him on trumpet. I was delighted to accept the commission and chose to portray him playing at the Hemsby jam sessions. So above is my portrait of Ray taking it away.

Commissions and Costs
It is essential that I do more, as a matter of urgency, to cover the growing costs (travel, charges, fees etc etc) of featuring jazz bands, musicians, clubs and festivals on Jazz&Jazz and of the publicity and support I hope it offers to the cause of jazz. So it goes without saying that I’m always prepared to consider commissions as well as selling original portraits and fine art Giclée prints which I produce myself. I would much rather this than request donations towards the cause. But I really must express my appreciation for a number of clubs who are contributing annually to the costs in appreciation of Jazz&Jazz featuring their events.

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.

Filed Under: Jazz Art, Jazz Events

Fans Fill Tremé’s Candlelight Lounge

April 18, 2011 By 1 Comment

Just a section of the Treme Band and guest musicians. “Congestion” restricted my full focal view. (Photo by P.M. Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

One of the most spontaneous and exciting jazz gigs I have ever witnessed was at The Candlelight Lounge in Tremé, New Orleans. Every Wednesday night at this cradle of jazz, The Tremé Brass Band plays for free. What’s more, there’s free red beans and rice before the show starts.

On that magical night during the 2010 Ken Colyer Trust French Quarter Festival Tour, a host of ardent fans from around the world, all packed in like sardines, witnessed a spectacle never to be forgotten. The show began at 9.30 sharp with just seven playing. Then more joined in. Then more… then even more, as musicians from around the world joined in with the Tremé band. Three trumpeters, three clarinets, two drummers, three sousaphones, at least two banjos and trombones – after a while I lost count but altogether there must have been at least 30 musicians crowded onto that tiny stage.

And in the narrow space between the audience and the band, dancers of all shapes and sizes strutted their stuff so vigourously that Barry Price and I, seated in the front row, moved back a row for safety lest we should have been toppled like dominoes! Such was the melee that I couldn’t quite wield my camera to full effect and got fewer shots than I would have liked.

Band leader Kenneth Terry lets rip on trumpet. (Photo by P.M. Butler, Jazz&Jazz)

“Uncle” Lionel Batiste on drums strove to maintain a calming influence but how trumpeter Kenneth Terry held the host together was beyond me.

I had heard said from a very reliable source that Jools Holland, along with Sammy Rimington and a couple of other jazz musicians, put on a totally unannounced impromptu jam session during a meal in a pub in deepest Kent not so many months ago. So whilst still reeling during that evening at The Candlelight Lounge, it struck me what wonders it could do for a massive jazz revival if Jools could feature such a spectacle on his “Later with Jools Holland” BBC2 spectacular. It could instil the same kind of inspiration for young jazz musicians as does the Tremé experience.

Peter M Butler
Editor Jazz&Jazz

Filed Under: Jazz Events

Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band

April 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band. Jazz painting commissioned by Dave Rance.

I got to talking to Dave Rance the very first time I went to one of his Rockin’ Chair Band’s gigs. Dave is as colourful a character as jazz band leaders come, and his contagious vitality and exuberance is reflected in his band’s performances. I had asked if I could take a number of photographs of the band and when I showed him samples of my jazz portraits, not only did he agree, but he commissioned a jazz painting of the band.

Dave describes his Bedfordshire based band as “a little different from the usual jazz bands, often amusing but always entertaining!” And that it most certainly is. Their performance of “Me and Jane in a Plane” is a sight to behold with “Captain” Brian Webb in pilot’s gear diving and zooming on trombone.

Dave himself, phosphorescently attired as the “Earl of Flitwick” in a multi coloured waistcoat that would put Joseph’s dream coat to shame, gives live wire performances on trumpet, cornet and flugel horn besides slipping in the odd vocal.

Then there’s Derek “Green Fingers” Scofield on sax and clarinet, Henry “Asbo” Harrison of erstwhile “Winchester Cathedral” Gold Disc fame on drums, “Reverend” Mike Brewerton on bass, Doug “Hari Kari” Parry on banjo and John “Prince of Darkness” Bartlett who plays a wild guitar.

My acrylic jazz painting of the band simply had to be in the style of a caricature and when I presented it to Dave he immediately had a quantity of prints made to publicise the band, but that’s as it should be.

Dave Rance can be contacted on: 01525 712359 / 07714 766158; or by email at: [email protected]

Hand signed, fine art prints of my jazz painting of “Rance’s Rockin’ Chair Band” can be purchased in two sizes:

A4 (297x210mm) £29.00
A3 (420x297mm) £39.00

A Certificate of Authenticity is issued with each print. If you would like to purchase a print or an original acrylic portrait or to commission a portrait, please email me at: [email protected]

 

 

Filed Under: Jazz Bands
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