by on

This is the ninth part of a series of articles on the relationship between jazz and comic books. Go to Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7 or Part 8

In this segment we will focus on two works, which illustrate the intrinsic relationship between comic books and jazz. The first one is the groundbreaking album The Epic (2015), by Kamasi Washington, jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He gained widespread acclaim for his contributions to the album To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar (2015).

The Epic solidified the reputation of Washington as a leading figure in contemporary jaz, known for revitalizing the interest in jazz among younger audiences with his ambitious, expansive compositions. The vinyl edition of the album is truly a captivating experience, designed to immerse the listener in an adventure that unfolds across multiple discs.

Each of the LPs represent a new chapter in the musical journey, accompanied by striking black and white photography that beautifully captures the essence of the Afrocentric free jazz aesthetic embodied by influential labels such as Tribe, Strata, and Black Jazz. This approach not only elevates the auditory experience but also adds a visual dimension to the storytelling woven into the music.

The Epic box set also included an graphic novel-inspired collection of images, exploring the conceptual narrative that underpins the compositions, offering enthusiasts a deeper understanding of the creative vision behind the album.

And The Epic continues to resonate. In recent years, Washington has been working on a graphic novel: “I had a dream [with] a story that encompassed all the songs [on The Epic], which really led me to have the conviction that I was really going to put it out. So I’m creating a graphic novel for that.”

The second graphic novel we would like to highlight is Instrumental (2017), by Dave Chisholm, a tale about the transformative power of music, weaving together themes of passion, struggle, and artistic expression.

The graphic novel “Instrumental” by Dave Chisholm offers a compelling journey into the emotional and creative depths of its characters. Chisholm, recognized as an acclaimed jazz musician, skillfully shines a spotlight on the intricate and profound experiences encountered by the characters within the narrative. Described as a high-spirited, suspenseful, formally inventive, and visually musical masterpiece, “Instrumental” delivers an epic yet intimate exploration of our relentless longing and search for what lies ahead.

The graphic novel intricately weaves together elements of music, storytelling, and artistry to create a truly immersive and captivating reading experience. It includes a download of an original jazz soundtrack, composed and performed by the author Dave Chisholm. As readers delve into the pages of this remarkable work, they are treated to a fusion of visual art and musical composition that enhances and enriches the narrative, resulting in a multidimensional journey.

The inclusion of the original jazz soundtrack not only adds an auditory layer to the reading experience but also serves as a testament of the multifaceted talent of Chisholm. As with the work of Washington, the innovative approach underscores the interconnectedness of commic ast and jazz, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage with narratives that transcends traditional boundaries.

Both works invite the readers/listeners to experience the power of storytelling through a harmonious convergence of music and visual art.

Be seeing you!

G.F

by on

Hey there! So nice to see you! This time you probably thought it was the end of The Red Flower Press and I do not blame you for that at all. With that said, I would like to inform you that I have the best excuse ever: I was improving my website! I am sure that even if you do not have a site (yet), you understand that making changes to our virtual home-sweet-home is the sort of thing that can consume a lot of your time and basically all your patience.

And what´s new? First of all, I added three (yep, three!) new pages. Let´s check?

Interviews: They ask, I answer.

Research: Talking about music, comics, visual arts and more (includes a link to download my PhD thesis).

And last, but not least, a new podcast: 10 Minutos de Jazz com Geisa Fernandes. The idea was to talk about Jazz to a general audience in three short episodes of ten minutes each. I am specially proud to announce that this podcast is part of 2021 International Jazz Day official events. So, if you understand Portuguese (or would like to learn it), check it out!

If you check the new pages, you will see that I´ve been quite busy lately, talking to fellows from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico… meaning that I had to stay a really long time seating in front of a notebook screen. In order to do some stretching, from time to time I would stand up and do some house related activity, like cleaning, cooking or, the most challenging of all… baking cakes.

If you are one of the happy few that think baking is easy, a piece of cake, so to speak (sorry, I couldn´t resist), my suggestion is that you stopping reading this post, for now I am talking to you, my dear sister or brother in arms in the eternal fight for a cake that goes right. You, that cannot understand how can your cake look (and probably taste) so different from the one in the picture or video tutorial. I get you. I am with you. My last failure was a lemon cake. A simple, foolproof (so they said) lemon cake recipe.

Watching the result of my attempt, I realized that baking cakes has a lot to do with classical music. Ever thought of that? Each ingredient (instrument) must be added respecting a predetermined order and treated in a specific way. Try to use a bit less sugar or a bit more butter and the whole thing is ruined. Eggs are a separate chapter. Same thing when we talk about the temperature of the oven. The result depends on this beautiful perfect balance.

Now think about jazz, a genre that has improvisation in its DNA. A totally different creative process. As beautiful as, but different.

And suddenly, there was a light. That´s it! I finally understand my problem with baking cakes and it is not a problem at all, just a matter of style: I cook like jazz.

Be seeing you!

G.F.

p.s. My next try in the baking field will be a pumpkin and coconut cake. I´ll keep you informed.

by on

Are you a cat? If you are anyhow related to the jazz world, or even if you are not, you probably heard this slang before. Like many others from the same origin (“gig” comes immediately to mind) it belongs to he current mainstream vocabulary and has such a broad use now, that basically describes anyone who plays or likes very much jazz music. If you read my previous post, you already know that I am into animations and if you are a regular Red Flower Press enjoyer, you might even know about my researches in the visual arts field.

My first step towards becoming a cat had the help of many animated animals, among them the cats from the US sitcom Top Cat. Produced by Hanna-Barbera, the adventures of a gang of Manhattan alley cats leaded by T.C. had jazz almost as an extra character. From the main title theme to the looks of the cats, the jazz vibe is everywhere and I loved to watch it in the afternoon reruns.

The show forged my taste in many ways and it belongs to my fondest childhood memories. I remember being specially fascinated by the way the cats turned the alley into a multi-functional space. The police box phone was the highlight of their creativity and it has a lot to do with the way I deal with decoration, using objects for multiple purposes, alley style.

I never had music classes as a child, neither was taken to concerts and had even less contact to jazz, what makes those visual references so important to me. Gloria Wood singing The Woody Woodpecker song, Louis Prima´s I wanna be like you from The Jungle Book (check out the very nice story behind his participation), Henry Mancini and The Pink Panther theme, among many others, were more than an important part of my musical background, they were my first music lessons. Music will always find a way.

Be seeing you!

G. F.