"Prez" aka Lester Young

Lester Willis Young (August 27, 1909 - March 15, 1959), nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist. Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie's orchestra, Young was one of the most influential players on his instrument.

In contrast to many of his hard-driving peers, Young played with a relaxed, cool tone and used sophisticated harmonies, using what one critic called "a free-floating style, wheeling and diving like a gull, banking with low, funky riffs that pleased dancers and listeners alike".

Known for his hip, introverted style, he invented or popularized much of the hipster jargon which came to be associated with the music. Young also accompanied the singer Billie Holiday in a couple of Studio session as well as Nat King Cole.

Framed Photograph by unknown photographer. Black and gunmetal gray framing. 23"L X 20"W

John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie

October 21, 1917 - January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but adding layers of harmonic and rhythmic complexity previously unheard in jazz. His combination of musicianship, showmanship, and wit made him a leading popularizer of the new music called bebop. His beret and horn-rimmed spectacles, scat singing, bent horn, pouched cheeks, and light-hearted personality have made him an enduring icon.

In the 1940s, Gillespie, with Charlie Parker, became a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz. He taught and influenced many other musicians, including trumpeters Miles Davis, Jon Faddis, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown, Arturo Sandoval, Lee Morgan, Chuck Mangione, and balladeer Johnny Hartman. He pioneered Afro-Cuban jazz and won several Grammy Awards.

Black and white photograph by unknown photographer. Black frame with gunmetal gray trim 23"H x 20W

Anna Marie Wooldridge

(August 6, 1930 - August 14, 2010)

Known professionally as Abbey Lincoln, was an American jazz vocalist and songwriter. She was a civil rights activist beginning in the 1960s. Lincoln made a career out of delivering deeply felt presentations of standards as well as writing and singing her own material.

Her lyrics often reflected the ideals of the civil rights movement and helped in generating passion for the cause in the minds of her listeners. In addition to her musical career, she ventured into acting as well and appeared in movies such as The Girl Can't Help It, Nothing But a Man and For Love of Ivy. She explored more philosophical themes during the later years of her songwriting career and remained professionally active until well into her seventies.

Framed and matted black and white photograph by unknown photographer. Black Frame with gunmetal trim 20"H by 23"W.

Horace Ward Martin Tavares Silver

(September 2, 1928 - June 18, 2014)

Horace Ward Martin Tavares Silver was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, particularly in the hard bop style that he helped pioneer in the 1950s.

After playing tenor saxophone and piano at school in Connecticut, Silver got his break on piano when his trio was recruited by Stan Getz in 1950. Silver soon moved to New York City, where he developed a reputation as a composer and for his bluesy playing. Frequent sideman recordings in the mid-1950s helped further, but it was his work with the Jazz Messengers, co-led by Art Blakey, that brought both his writing and playing most attention. Their Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers album contained Silver's first hit, "The Preacher". After leaving Blakey in 1956, Silver formed his own quintet, with what became the standard small group line-up of tenor saxophone, trumpet, piano, bass, and drums. Their public performances and frequent recordings for Blue Note Records increased Silver's popularity, even through changes of personnel. His most successful album was Song for My Father, made with two iterations of the quintet in 1963 and 1964.

As a player, Silver transitioned from bebop to hard bop by stressing melody rather than complex harmony, and combined clean and often humorous right-hand lines with darker notes and chords in a near-perpetual left-hand rumble. His compositions similarly emphasized catchy melodies, but often also contained dissonant harmonies. Many of his varied repertoire of songs, including "Doodlin'", "Peace", and "Sister Sadie", became jazz standards that are still widely played. His considerable legacy encompasses his influence on other pianists and composers, and the development of young jazz talents who appeared in his bands over the course of four decades.

Framed and matted black and white photograph by unknown photographer. Black frame with gunmetal trim 20"H x 23"W

John William Coltrane

(September 23, 1926 - July 17, 1967)

John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Coltrane moved to Philadelphia after graduating high school, where he studied music. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes and was one of the players at the forefront of free jazz. He led at least fifty recording sessions and appeared on many albums by other musicians, including trumpeter Miles Davis and pianist Thelonious Monk. Over the course of his career, Coltrane's music took on an increasingly spiritual dimension, as exemplified on his most acclaimed album A Love Supreme (1965) and others. Decades after his death, Coltrane remains influential, and he has received numerous posthumous awards, including a special Pulitzer Prize, and was canonized by the African Orthodox Church.

Framed and matted black and white photograph by unknown photographer. Black Frame with gunmetal trim 23"H X 20"W

Meditations of Marley

Rosemary Summers's Marley in Morocco Series is a compilation of paintings designed explicitly to express Marley's' various moods and influence on the world. Rosemary Summers a local artist was inspired by her journey to Morocco and its stimulating colors, patterns, sounds, smells and food which primarily emphasize the beauty of a culture that mirrors a great Artist like Bob Marley. In fact, most of the men she saw looked like Bob Marley. Thusly, she thought it would be a wonderful idea to join the two forces in this series of paintings capturing his passion and great desire for love, peace, equality and spirituality which significantly affects all who listens to the music that made him very popular among mankind in general.

"Marley In Morocco Series"

Acrylic on Canvas - Original 16" x 20"

Caribbean Carver's Creation

The Jamaican Man Face wood carving sculpture by Cool Breeze is a stunning piece of art that captures the essence and spirit of Jamaican culture. The sculpture is meticulously handcrafted from a single piece of wood, showcasing the artist's exceptional skill and attention to detail. The sculpture depicts the face of a Jamaican man, with features that are beautifully carved and lifelike. The artist has captured the man's facial expressions, giving the sculpture a sense of depth and emotion. The man's eyes are particularly striking, with a sense of wisdom and warmth that draws the viewer in. The wood used for the sculpture has a rich, natural color that adds to its authenticity and beauty. The artist has skillfully utilized the natural grain and texture of the wood to enhance the overall composition of the piece. The sculpture has a smooth finish, with intricate details that showcase the artist's dedication to his craft. The Jamaican Man Face wood carving sculpture by Cool Breeze is a true testament to the artist's talent and passion for his work. It is a unique and captivating piece that would make a stunning addition to any art collection or as a focal point in any space.