Poem: «The Violin Lesson»

(Image: «Jazz-Art» by Francisco Bravo Cabrera. Property of FBC, Omnia Caelum Studios València)

The lesson starts with black notes one by one seeking attention,
the body soon reacts and lets the rhythm filter in,
and sliding through each string are four fast fingers full of tension,
and cruising through the bow she conjures spirits in the wind.

The violin caresses warm her shoulders and phrases find intention,
the chord progression so precise now burns within,
the legs that move the dancer are just begging for ascension,
the bodies slither forwards so let the dance begin.

Then suddenly a sound like thunder bursts right in with wild pretension,
four hands, two drums, four feet, splash wildly, mad, insane,
and four thick strings vibrate drunk with declension,
and the bodies slither forwards so profane.

The lesson ends with white notes, long, enduring intervention,
the bodies drenched in sweat slowly retreat,
and sliding through each string the violin proffers the question,
where do these notes go hide when our dance-music is complete?

C.2022, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, 02 MAY 2022, Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Great Artists Series: (Female Artists) Jeanne Hébuterne

Although you might know her as the wife of Modigliani, I want you to know her and remember her for her artwork. She was a trained artist, having studied at Académie Colarossi and her work was top level without a doubt. Jeanne Hébuterne was a model for Tsuguharu Foujita and that was how she met Modigliani in 1917.

(Self-Portrait, 1918)

Both lived a very «Bohemian» lifestyle. They had a daughter and she had to be given up…later to be raised by Modigliani’s sister…because they could not support her due to their lifestyle.

The day after Modigliani’s death from tuberculosis, Jeanne committed suicide by throwing herself off a fifth floor window.

Jeanne was born in the Seine-et-Marne department of France in 1898 and died in Paris in 1920.

(Portrait of Modigliani, 1919)

Although her parents strongly objected, loved won out and she moved in with Modigliani and the passion began…

(Death, 1917)
(Nature Mort, 1917)

I leave you with this, just a glance and invite you to pursue the search. If you are an artist, a collector, or a lover or art, Jeanne Hébuterne is an artist you should study, especially if you are also a fan or an admirer of Amadeo Modigliani.

Cheers…

Sunday’s Music: Kermit Ruffin

He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, (USA) in 1964…

I have seen him perform many times in The Big Easy. Once at the Red Fish Grill, once at a theatre whose name I cannot recall, and other times at the Jazz & Heritage Festival. Always loved it! He is a master showman and a great trumpet player that sings and really makes you feel good enjoying the show.

He first recorded with The Rebirth Brass Band in 1984. The band often could be heard in street corners around the French Quarter playing for tips and later became the house band at The Glass House. But his best place is with his new band…as of 1992…The Barbecue Swingers, a traditional jazz quintet. With the Swingers he has played at Vaughan’s Bar in Bywater, and even recorded a live album there.

(1990, playing the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans – Photo by Infrogmation)

Ruffins has played at Tipitina’s, at Old Mint, at the Satchmo Summerfest and at Cafe Brasil, New Orleans. And of course, dozens of funerals…

(Kermit Ruffins and The Barbecue Swingers)

I tell you, this trumpet man is a true New Orleanian and someone you need to know if you like the traditional jazz, the bebop and as well the funky sounds of The Big Easy! Take a listen:

(2014)
(2017)

Cheers…

Poema: “Andando y pensando”

(Foto de la catedral de Cuenca, Castilla La Mancha, de FBC, Omnia Caelum Studios València. Derechos Reservados)

Parece que hoy sigo los pasos sigilosos de los santos,

que tercos como asnos siguieron su verdad,

y por ser sempiternos, testarudos, inocentes,

ingenuos, perturbados,

alucinantes y fieles soldados,

se ganaron el cielo…

Y yo, desde mis pasos,

desde mi caminar,

andante que soy,

quiero soñar,

pero en vez de soñar voy pensando,

pensando en el polvo,

pensando en las piedras,

y sobre las hierbas que alivian mis huesos viajeros,

sueño pensando,

detengo mi andar,

así espero poder descansar…

C.2022, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, 30 de abril de 2022, Miami Beach, Florida, EEUU.

Art History: Margaret Keane

An interesting story, the story of her life. If you want to know about it I recommend the film by Tim Burton…

These are some of her paintings. I did not provide the names or the dates, that you can find out through research, but at least I wanted you to see them and then you can relate them to the paintings done in the supposed new style called «low brow»…

(2022)

Cheers…

Art History: Un Dalí espiritual – A Spiritual Dalí…

Por si no sabias que Dalí también fue medio místico, y que tuvo una etapa de recogimiento cuando se refugió en la fe católica y pinto cuadros religiosos, aquí ahora te lo presento.

Quizá su etapa espiritual haya comenzado en el 1948, no estoy seguro de la fecha exacta, ya que el cuadro de las tentaciones de San Antonio es del 1946 y es ciertamente un tema religioso. Pero no importa si leéis su libro, «Diario de un genio» (fue un excelente escritor) os enterareis de todo lo que hizo y todo lo que pasaba por su cabeza durante esos años. Menuda faena la de tratar de entender a un chalado…

Aunque no estoy seguro si Dalí estaba loco o si se hacía el loco. Él mismo decía que la única diferencia entre un loco y él era que él no estaba loco…

__________________________________________________________________________________

In case you did not know that Dalí was somewhat of a mystic, that he went through a period of contemplation when he sought refuge in his Catholic faith and painted religious themes, I am here to inform you…

Maybe that phase started in 1948, but I am not certain of the exactitude of that date as the painting about the temptation of St. Anthony is from 1946 and I think it qualifies as a religious painting. But it doesn’t matter, read his book «Diary of a Genius» (He was a great writer) and he will explain it all to you and you will learn all about the things that went on in his head. It is not easy trying to understand a madman!

Although I am not certain if he really was a madman or just pretended to be one. He always said that the only difference between a madman and himself was that he was not mad…

(2022)

Gracias…

Cheers