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Phyllis' Musical Inn
May 21st 2012
1800 West Division St.
Chicago, Ill 60622
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Uncommon Ground Devon
May 21st 2012
Chicago, Ill
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Jazz Canvas performing August 18
Jazz Canvas performing August 18
Date Posted: August 06 2011
Written By: Chicago Jazz
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The Seattle based jazz performance group "Jazz Canvas", will be bringing its unique merger of jazz and live art to Illinois in August.
Jazz Canvas is a jazz trio that performs with a visual artist (Painter) who interprets the music by painting a picture during the show. The painting is not pre-planned but is literally a response to the musical dialog going on between the musicians. Sometimes the concept is reversed and the musicians try to interpret the painting in a musical way. In addition to the painter, the group also likes to feature a special headliner musician for each and every show.
Jazz Canvas formed to give listeners some visual to go along with the audible. The music video basically does the same thing for rock music. The unique thing about jazz is the improvisation and the fact that every performance is different. Jazz musicians musically interact with each other in very advanced and developed ways. It is a conversation that is very organic and lends itself to live painting very well.
The painting, often valued at over five hundred dollars, is raffled off at the end of the show for one dollar per ticket. Every painting is photographed and made into a limited print. The prints are on display in a gallery in Seattle and represent a collection of concert experiences featuring different headliner musicians that is always growing. Jazz Canvas is currently working on a deal to publish a coffee table book of the body of jazz canvas works.
This fresh approach to live jazz and art is attracting a new fan base who would not normally enjoy listening to jazz music. " I can't tell you how many times that I have talked to people that have hated jazz their whole lives until they attend a jazz canvas performance. They were brought by a spouse or friend and absolutely had a great time. The visual along with the audio helps them understand jazz better and they get it. As a performer and jazz educator, that is the best feeling in the whole world" , says bandleader Terry Marsh
Artist Desiree Shafman will be the painter for the Illinois tour. Shafman is one of three painters who are part of Jazz Canvas. The painters rotate concerts and sometimes share the stage depending on the size of the show. Shafman is a professional painter who recently moved to Seattle from New Hampshire.
She was asked to join the band after participating in a live Jazz Canvas painter audition which included 23 other artists.
The band will feature singing bass player Tracie Marsh and local Chicago jazz stars Geof Bradfield (sax) and Ryan Cohan (piano). Jazz Canvas strives to feature the top local talent wherever the band performs. The band for this Illinois tour is especially talented and will have something for everyone in the audience.
Jazz Canvas will be in Chicago performing at Studio 914 on Thursday, August 18th. The show starts at 8pm and admission is a suggested ten dollar donation at the door. They will then head to Springfield for a special Friday evening concert at the Springfield Art Association gallery and then onto Champagne-Urbana for the Saturday Down Town Festival of the Arts.
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