Richard Wyatt, Los Angeles muralist, leaves mark of humanity on city 1
If you’ve lived in Los Angeles and its environs for any length of time, there’s a very good chance you’ve been touched by the work of Richard Wyatt Jr. (1955-2024). He was one of the most prolific and high-profile of Southern California muralists, supplying large-scale images that told the town’s stories in the faces and ...
Vijay Iyer/Teju Cole ‘Blind Spot’ syncopates jazz, photography, text
The intriguing image above represents the visual component for “Blind Spot,” a much-anticipated live performance soon presented by CAP UCLA at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. The collaborative effort showcases two artists at the top of their respective fields: jazz pianist/composer Vijay Iyer and writer/photographer Teju Cole. A familiar face on the covers of Downbeat ...
Must see, must hear: Maria Schneider big band at VPAC 2
Maria Schneider’s ascendance is a Cinderella jazz story of sorts, albeit a long one. It surprises no one when she’s on the cover of Downbeat these days. But she first appeared as Best Original Composition award winner in the magazine’s 1984 student competition. Subsequently she’s become one of the most distinctive and evocative contemporary composers. ...