Jazz Portraits

Client: Private Collections

My interest in early blues musicians led me to create a series of smaller portraits that served as a precursor to my Legends of Starr-Gennett collection. In these early works, I experimented with various surfaces and textures to capture the raw, often difficult journeys of these pioneering artists—many of whom were musicians and singer-songwriters of color. I hope these pieces not only honor their legacy but also evoke a sense of emotional resonance and inspiration.

Elizabeth Cotten was a self-taught, left-handed guitarist and songwriter known for her unique fingerpicking style, later dubbed "Cotten picking." Her timeless song “Freight Train,” written in her early teens, became a folk classic and helped cement her legacy as a pioneering voice in American music.

Big Bill Broonzy was a prolific blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose career bridged the transition from rural acoustic blues to urban electric blues. His powerful voice, storytelling lyrics, and versatile playing made him a key figure in shaping modern American blues and folk music.

Mississippi John Hurt was a gentle-voiced blues and folk musician known for his intricate fingerpicking guitar style and warm, melodic storytelling. Rediscovered during the 1960s folk revival, his music bridged generations and remains beloved for its simplicity, soul, and authenticity.