Jul 15 2012

i2sm — Image to Sweet Music


 

Computers allow us to routinely manipulate the physical world in ways that were unthinkable a few decades ago. Numbers on a spreadsheet drive decisions that run corporations, lines in a CAD program serve as the basis of a new building or bridge, word processors and layout programs translate into books, magazines and newspapers. Software also opens new doors of perception in the worlds of art and music — sometimes blurring the line between the two.

i2sm is a Windows based software that turns the pixels in photographs and art into music by translating the millions of colors on a screen into a 128 range of notes. The results range from random sounding dissonance that would make a dadaist proud, to amazingly harmonic mood pieces that might be found in the latest CD from a New Age musician.

Listen to an example i2sm Midi generated from a Gregory Lang Cityscape

Gregory Lang Cosmopolitan Morning

Gregory Lang: Cosmopolitan Morning

Download i2sm here

Jun 18 2012

Amanda Palmer — Art Book


Amanda Palmer (formerly with the Dresden Dolls) has been blazing a trail towards a new career model for musicians. After separating with her record company she has become the darling of the Kickstarter world by successfully raising over one million dollars to create her new solo album.

Amanda Palmer Art Book

Amanda Palmer Art Book

Never one to be satisfied with merely creating music — she has often included theatrical elements in her performances — Palmer is also releasing a book of art related to the project created by 30 artists as a coffee table book. A donation to the project can land you copies of the CD, concert tickets, the art book and other goodies.

Mar 4 2012

Martel Chapman — Marion Brown


Martel Chapman Marion Brown

Martel Chapman is a cubist painter who specializes in Jazz portraits. His style could not be better matched than in his painting of free saxophonist Marion Brown. Brown was a member of the New York Avant-garde along with Coltrane and Archie Shepp. All three saxophonists played on Coltrane’s landmark “Ascension” session, an album that brought a wider degree of acceptance for the free jazz movement.

Chapman became devoted to painting after hearing jazz in an almost “born again” style awakening…

I came across John Coltrane’s “Blue Train” re-issue in 1997. I did not realize that his music would change my life. I hadn’t recognized what artistry was until that point. I listened to the opening theme a dozen times on my way to work that day. A year later, I quit that job and decided that my main energy was going to be dedicated to the music of jazz and the individuals that created it.

Brown is a fitting subject for the Painted Note as well. He found musical inspiration in visual perceptions — particularly in the urban landscape. He discusses this connection in a 1967 film by Henry English entitled “You See What I’m Trying to Say.” Later in his career Brown became accomplished in the visual arts as well.

Martle Chapman The Rhythmatic

Martle Chapman: The Rhythmatic

To see more of Chapman’s work visit www.portraitsasjazz.com

Feb 26 2012

Yves Budin — Don Cherry


Yves Budin Don Cherry

Yves Budin: Don Cherry

Belgian Illustrator Yves Budin discovered jazz through the words of beat author Jack Kerouac. He translates the jazz experience through a bold use of ink, pen and brush. The resulting high contrast images captures the nighttime world of shadows and light brilliantly. See more of his work HERE.

Yves Budin John Scofield

Yves Budin: John Scofield

Speaking of Donald Cherry and John Scofield, here are two of my favorite vids of them at play.

(Bass — Steve Swallow! With a pick no less)

 

Feb 23 2012

Todd Marinovich — Cash


Todd Marinovich Cash

Todd Marinovich: Cash

Todd Marinovich was trained by his father from an early age to become an outstanding football quarterback. The years of childhood focus resulted in Marinovich becoming a high school All-American and enjoyed freshman year success at USC. He left school early and was drafted by the Raiders.

Todd Marinovich Bowie

Todd Marinovich: Bowie

Unfortunately Marinovich had been developing a drug problem (heroin and cocaine) and his once-promising career never materialized. He was dropped by the team two years later. ESPN named him number four on their top 25 sports flops list.

After leaving football Marinovich began pursuing his passion for art and has gained some national recognition. He often paints music personalities as seen in these two examples.

 

Feb 19 2012

Jonas Gerard — Blue Heaven


Jonas Gerard Blue Heaven

Jonas Gerard: Blue Heaven

Jonas Gerard’s masterfully dynamic abstracts all contain many elements of music — particularly rhythm and passion. On display here are three whose titles or visual elements directly reference musical instruments or notation. Jonas describes his approach this way…

“I usually begin a new painting with random brush strokes of color, then work unpredictably and intuitively, responding to the rhythm of the music and the direction the painting suggests to me.”

Jonas Gerard Marimba

Jonas Gerard: Marimba

Jonas Gerard Seven Tamborines

Jonas Gerard: Seven Tamborines

See more of Gerard’s work at www.jonasgerard.com

BTW, the song  ”My Blue Heaven” (written by vaudeville songster Walter Donaldson with George Whiting) has been covered by numerous artists from the 1920s until today.

When whippoorwills call and evening is nigh,
I hurry to my Blue Heaven.
A turn to the right, a little white light,
Will lead me to my Blue Heaven.

I’ll see a smiling face, a fireplace, a cozy room,
A little nest that nestles where the roses bloom;
Just Molly and me, and baby makes three,
We’re happy in my Blue Heaven.

Here is a 1927 version from the Paul Whiteman orchestra

and the famous Fats Domino version

Lastly a Smashing Pumpkins version from 2008

Feb 14 2012

Tim Lee — Done Gone


Tim Lee Done Gone

Tim Lee: Done Gone

Tim Lee’s career includes illustration work for major corporate and agency clients. But it is his personal work that draws our attention. He is an avid Bluegrass musician whose love of music “creeps” into his paintings — as these examples show.

Tim Lee Pretty Red Lips Mandolin Music

Tim Lee: Pretty Red Lips Mandolin Music

Tim Lee Blue Night Guitar Music

Tim Lee: Blue Night Guitar Music

Tim is being featured in an exhibition at the Amplified Gallery in Raliegh NC from March 10th through April 13th.