Month: November 2013

November is all about Jazz…and photography!

On By davidemmanuelnoelIn Visual Art & MusicLeave a comment

Back in the UK and just in time for one of November’s highlights- The London Jazz Festival. The EFG London Jazz Festival is the capital’s biggest pan-city music festival, presenting famous world-class artists well as emerging stars who perform at notable venues such as the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scotts and the Albert Hall. The festival has being going since 1992 and emerged from the long-standing Camden Jazz Week created in 1970 by Serious, the live international music producers.

This year’s show includes a photography exhibition by David Redfern and the talented Edu Hawkins, which I encourage you to see if you’re local. Redfern, the only non American to feature in the Jazz Times ‘ Special Collectors Edition’ has selected just a small but quality selection of limited prints for sale. His career began in the twilight jazz clubs of 1960’s London, photographing artists such as Kenny Ball and George Melly. Further to his work on TV shows, nights spent at 100 Club, Marquee or Ronnie Scotts and being an official tour photographer, he has amassed a portfolio of work featuring  icons of jazz such as Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Art Blakey and Duke Ellington.

The show runs for the duration of the festival (10th -24th Nov) at LONDON Southbank Centre / Foyer Spaces Belvedere Road London SE1 8XX. For further details on concerts and talks visit http://www.londonjazzfestival.org.uk/

Willie Cole at Alexander & Bonin

On By davidemmanuelnoelIn Visual Art & MusicLeave a comment
The Sole Sitter by Willie Cole
The Sole Sitter by Willie Cole

I love the New York art scene as it always inspires me to be creative and appreciative of the mass of talent.  There are a number of exhibitions I intend to see this month. One I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing is Willie Cole’s exhibition entitled ‘ If Wishes Were Horses’ at the Alexander and Bonin gallery. The show comprises of paintings and sculptures from the New  Jersey born artist. I’ve been an admirer of his  career for some time so it was a great pleasure to see some of his recent work up close and personal. Cole uses everyday domestic objects and discarded materials to reference historical events and people. The design and aesthetics of the work continues to reflect his interest in the Yoruba religion, particularly the Orisa: deities which represent specific forces of nature and govern different parts of the universe. Central to the exhibition is his 6ft statue entitled ‘The Sole Sitter, 2013. He brilliantly uses giant sized high heeled shoes to construct a crouched figure in a position that reflects the wishful mindset alluded to in the title of the show. The show runs at Alexander and Bonin until November 16th. If you are in town, taking a walk in Chelsea this is one show I would recommend.  For further details please visit alexanderandbonin.com