The Two Man Gentlemen Band.

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The Two Man Gentleman Band performed at Redlight Redlight. Dina Peterson suggested I sketch these two, and I am glad she did. The bar and tables were packed. I searched for a seat to sketch from, but I couldn’t find a good view. I decided to sit on the floor right in front of the stage leaning against a metal pole. Being right at the performers feet gave me a forced perspective view of the performers.These two had a fun vaudeville type act. The music was fast paced and energetic harkening back to simpler times. An odd painting hung on the wall be hind the gentlemen of a person trying to swallow a whole pig.

When their set was over I found Dina who was ready to go. This was my second sketch of the evening, so I decided to walk out with her. It is rare for me to sketch at Redlight Redlight without trying at least one new beer. I usually pick a beer to taste based on how much I like the design of the label. I should take notes so that over time I can define and delicately refine my tastes. I don’t recommend that Rasputin beer however. It will sneak up on you with a wallop.

Kaleigh Baker

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Dina Peterson suggested I come out to Tanqueray’s, (100 South Orange Avenue), late one evening to see Kaleigh Rose Baker perform along with the Absinthe Trio. I had seen her sing once before as Janis Joplin and she was amazing. The bar was smokey, tight, dark and the drinks flowed. Kaleigh has delivery that resonates deeply and then sours free. After each song she would take a drink from her cup resting in a stand beside her. She would toast the crowd. She had an edgy quality, always seeming a bit out of control as she sang with her eyes half open. Nathan Anderson performed on the sax beside her and his instrument wailed in lazy indifference. Halfway into the sketch my eyes began to water from the smoke. I closed them for the longest time swaying to the music and waiting for the stinging to pass. It didn’t help that every song expressed pain and longing.

I was introduced to a singer named “Cat, Cat, Cat” who was an actress from NYC planned to sing later in the evening. She had on a stylish fedora and she swayed to the music along with everyone else. After the first set I got to meet Kaleigh and the members of the band. I passed around my sketchbook to let them see what I was up to.

As the second set started up, it was time to go home.

Feels so Good!

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I’ve been feeling disconnected from friends and family lately, so on Monday night I decided I needed to treat myself to a sweet taste of jazz at the Grand Bohemian downtown (325 South Orange Avenue.) Jazz is performed every Monday night starting at 8pm, and there is no cover. A collection jar is kept out and any tips go towards the needy in the community. When I entered the bar, Yvonne Coleman, who organizes the jazz jams, gave me a warm welcoming hug. She is such an amazing champion of my work. Between sets she introduced me to the crowd. I ordered a Blue Moon and got to work.

The performers I sketched were Joey Pegram on the drums, Joseph Jebanni on the sax and Don Black on the keyboard. The spontaneous flowing riffs swept over me and caused the lines of my sketch to dance and vibrate. I didn’t have to second guess or worry, the music allowed the lines to flow with simple spontaneous joy. Miss Jacqueline Jones got up to sing. As the sax screamed it’s pleasure, her body vibrated electrically to the sound. Several minutes passed as the sax continued its joyous conversation. The crowd shouted back and Jacqueline shook harder. The place erupted. This was my first time seeing her perform and I wish I had caught her in a sketch. I am sure I will be seeing her again. Outside a firetruck pulled up in front of the hotel. Its red lights flashed in time to the music which flowed unhindered.

A performance of “Feels so Good” had me swaying to the beat my spirit lifted. Dr. Otto Gomez stepped in and livened the performance with his awesome trumpet playing. One of the final songs of the evening was, “This Masquerade.” I was completely lost in the moment. I left after this set, my sketch complete. The beat stayed with me affecting my walk back to the truck. I didn’t turn on the radio on the drive home, instead I hummed and tapped my foot to the beat that was stuck in my head and like a heart beat wouldn’t stop. When life offers no resolutions, jazz is my anchor and joy.

Kevin Maines

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The headlining act at Back Booth was the Kevin Maines band. The place was now crowded and smokey. Kristen Lippens was kind enough to order me an Orange Blossom Beer and sipped as I drew. The sketch was executed quickly, straight to ink with no planning. The room was dark so I had no clue if the color washes were working. People started sitting in front of me, but I didn’t mind, I just leaned to the side to pick out details on stage as I needed them. The music was fabulous to draw to. I seldom got a good view of the drummer since Kevin was usually blocking my view of him. I finished the sketch before they finished playing their set, so I packed the sketchbook in my haversack and then stood to stretch out and start moving to the music. People were dancing all around me and I lost myself in the beat swaying in time. The fluid riffs lasted for an inspired eternity.

When the band finished, I texted Terry and she responded that she missed me. I said goodbye to Dina Peterson who has become my guide and mentor to the best of Orlando’s music scene. I must say she has never steered me wrong. If heaven is a smoke and music filled bar, I had arrived!

Diocious – Back Booth

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Dina Peterson had gotten tickets to Back Booth (37 West Pine Street) for Terry and myself. Terry decided not to go because she can’t stand cigarette smoke. When I arrived I handed over my ticket and was given a smokey gray wristband. I started to walk in, when I heard Dina say, “Hey!” She was seated right next to the ticket lady and I was so focused on the ticket process that I hadn’t noticed her. It turns out we were both on time which for a club, is too early. Inside Diocious was finishing up its sound check. Even Kevin Maines, the headlining act was waiting outside where it was actually a bit cold. I was anxious to start my sketch and we all headed in. I imediately loved the vintage look of the stage with raw wood, billowing drapes of red curtains and a circular stage that jutted out onto the dance floor. Wires snaked all over the stage in apparent chaos.

Dina introduced me to a dozen or so friends and the members of the band. Alex Robertson was on Guitar and Vocals, Josh Hoffman played Bass and Vocals and Partin Whitaker played Drums and Vocals. Diocious described themselves as a psychedelic Funk / Rock band. I found it unique that Partin on the drums often performed as the lead vocalist. They played for well over an hour giving me time to finish the sketch. The room was so dark that I really didn’t see what colors I was using. A flash photo let me see the finished sketch for just an instant. The place became packed. The music had a driving forward momentum with plenty of percussion. I let the music affect how the lines were put down. For me it had a jazz like improvisational feel with occasional sound effects thrown in. It was a great time. Next up was the Kevin Maines Band.

College Park Jazz Fest.

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Terry and I drove to College Park where about five blocks of Edgewater Drive were blocked off to make way for two stages for Jazz Fest. Restaurants had tables set out on the street and walkways. Some large tables had been purchased by corporate sponsors. We walked south down the length of the festival. Lawn chairs picnic baskets and bottles of wine were everywhere. Every block people would try and sell orange arm bands. The event was free, but I guess they hoped to get donations with pier pressure and guilt. I planned to meet Summer Rodman at some point since she wanted me to donate a print of a sketch I did at a Kerouac event for a book being printed about Jack’s life in Orlando.

My first order of business was to find some food. A street vendor was offering potato salad and two hot dogs for $5. We found a spot to sit on some steps close to the stage. As soon as I finished eating, I started looking for a vantage point to sketch from. As we wandered in the ever thickening crowd, we bumped into Summer. She didn’t have the release forms we had talked about, but she pointed to an empty corporate table and said she had bought the table and no one was using it. She suggested we sit there. That is when I started this sketch. Terry wandered to look in a ( few stores and when she came back she read a magazine. The music acts were, Miss Jacqueline Jones, The Roadblock Blues Band and The Les Be More Band. Shak Nasty played at the stage at the opposite end of the festival but we never saw his set.

It was a nice cool night with a crisp full moon. The whole event reminded me a bit of the free concerts Terry and I used to attend in New York City’s Central Park. I missed these kind of events which really make me feel like I am part of a thriving community.

Tribute to Leonard Cohen

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Leonard Cohen is a Canadian singer, songwriter and poet. Jeremy Seghers bought together an amazing cast of singers songwriters and poets to the Timucua White House, (2000 South Summerlin Avenue), for a stellar concert celebrating Leonard’s work. The whole Glazer family, Benoit, his wife and two children sang Whither thou Goest. The sets were short and sweet. Sarah Percer got on stage first, winning the audience with her warmth. Tony Macalusa played bass while Joe Canitia performed on the mandolin. Mathew Mendel is shown in the sketch performing on piano and guitar. I believe he performed on the drums as well that night. Jeremy Seghers is shown singing. In the far corner of the sketch, Tracy Burke is shown doing a quick portrait of Leonard Cohen in oils on canvas.

Poets like Brad Kuhn and Darlin Finch got up to the mic to read poems and observations by Leonard while the piano offered a soft supporting accompaniment. The whole evening was magical and uplifting. My head swayed to the beats as the lines danced without much second guessing or deliberateness. The evening ended with a stellar performance of Hallelujah with everyone in the audience singing along. It was an uplifting luminous moment.

After the concert everyone socialized with wine and snacks. The concert was free, as always and guests often bring along their own favorite vintage to sip and share. I got to meet some of the musicians and I could kick myself for not buying a $25 sketch from Tracy. I had a chance to have a long talk with Dina Peterson who is in my mind a true aficionado of the Orlando music scene. I feel I am taking baby steps slowly opening myself to hear, feel and see the amazing talent all around me.

The Eagles

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The Eagles were Terry’s all time favorite band from her college years. When she found out they would be performing as the first concert in the new Amway Center, she had to get tickets. I heard the tickets were not cheap. I met Terry at her office and then we walked over to Hamburger Mary’s for some dinner. The place was packed for Bingo Night. By the time we finished eating, there was a line of people out the door waiting to get tables. People eyed any open seats with annoyance and anticipation. We walked from Church Street Station to the Amway Center. The city splurged and installed blue spotlights to illuminate the I-4 underpass. A veteran in a camouflage uniform was selling tiny American flags. A man was shouting with his raised fist clenched in a peace sign indicating he needed two tickets.

At the entrance to the Arena I pulled out the computer printed tickets Terry had given to me earlier in the evening. We rode the escalator up to our level. There was a huge crowd around the Eagles T-shirts and merchandise. We had to walk down several staircases to get to our seats. I was shocked at how close our seats were to the stage. We arrived about an hour early which gave me plenty of time to sketch the stage as people filed into the immense space. The lighting changed constantly from blue to red. A lighting tech climbed a rope ladder to get to the suspended walkway hundreds of feet high. The crowd cheered for him and he paused and waved making everyone cheer louder.

Finally the band began to play and the cheering and whistling became deafening. When they performed “Peaceful Easy Feeling“, Terry leaned over and said, “This was my favorite song in college.” I looked over and saw that she had tears in her eyes. She dried he eyes grabbed my arm and put her head on my shoulder.When the band played “The Best of my Love”, people started raising their lighters and iPhones. Terry said there was an application for the iPhone that looks like a lighter. She quickly downloaded the application and soon there was the image of a closed lighter on the screen. Laughing, we both tried tapping the screen with our fingers trying to open the virtual lighter. We finally discovered the flicking finger gestures needed and she raised the lighter just as the song was ending.

The next day, I was asked, “If you were an abstract painter, how would you imagine the renewed affection that you and Terry are sharing.” My first response was, “I am not an abstract painter.” We laughed. Then I painted the scene he was looking for, “When the Eagles played ‘Desperado‘ the whole arena was lit dark and blue, the lyrics intoned ‘why don’t you come to your senses? Come down from your fences, open the gate.’ Then as the song rang out, ‘You better let somebody love you, before it’s too late’, the lighting pivoted out towards the audience lighting them in warm yellows and oranges. Couples held each other swaying side to side and Terry and I hugged in a long embrace.” Terry was there as I described the scene and she misted up as did the person who asked for the description. The warmth in the arena is the sketch I should have caught.

Song Circle

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Dandelion Communitea Cafe (618 North Thornton Avenue) hosts a monthly song circle where an informal group of musicians and song writers gather to jam for several hours. This was one of Orlando’s first cool evenings, so everyone sat outside under a canopy. The first performers consisted of Jerry Mincey on guitar and vocals, Joe Canitia on the mandolin and Tony Macalusa on bass. They played several warm folksy tunes before passing the baton to the next performer. As far as I know, every song performed was original. One song writer and guitarist apologized, saying the song was still in development. This is what was so nice about this gathering. New ideas, lyrics and music could be tested and shared with musicians who would gladly offer supportive advice. The night was cool the stars were bright and the music was red hot. I didn’t stay for the full duration of the song circle since I planned to jump over to Redlight Redlight to hear another group perform.

Britt Daley

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I had just finished up a Doctor Sketchy’s drawing session at Tatame Sake Lounge (223 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park.) As I packed up my supplies, a woman walked in carrying various band equipment. After she leaned the equipment against the wall, she stood in the doorway. I recognized her, but I couldn’t place her in a recognizable context. I must have been staring because she finally pointed to me and said, “We met at Evan and Christy Miga’s house. The light bulb flickered on. Her name is Britt Daley and she helped Evan out by singing backup vocals for the hilarious, Dog Powered Robot.

She and her drummer Scott Christy began setting up on the small Tatame stage. I threw my backpack over my shoulder and started for the door. I planned to sketch at Tanqueray’s where Kaleigh Baker was performing. Britt caught me and said, “Your not leaving are you? You haven’t seen me perform.” I told he I had been sketching when she was interviewed on Orange TV. Then I agreed to stay and watch one set. Britt has been writing songs for years. Many deal with heart ache and not being able to let go. Her voice is silky smooth and the songs left me quietly sad. She shouted out, “I am dedicating this song to Christina, it is called ‘It’s Too Late’.” This song about a couple at a crossroads left me truly sad, there was only a faint quiver of hope that could only be found in the harmony itself. I was caught off guard. I didn’t expect to find original music with this much emotional depth to be sung in a small sake bar. I was struck to the core.

Between sets, James, the guitar player and drummer, sat next to me. He checked out the sketch and I explained that I didn’t have the time to get him in the sketch yet. He assured me that they would perform again. As “Sunlight in Her Hair” performed, I took the time to add color washes in the background. When Britt Daley took to the stage again, she noticed me sketching. She asked, “Are you sketching us?” When I nodded my head, she turned to the audience and said with childish delight, “Thor is sketching us!” Then she turned to me and said, “I want to see that when I get off stage.” The second set was just as good as the first. I felt emotionally drained when the sketch was complete. I did show her the sketch before I left, and she seemed pleased. I asked her for her cards, so I could learn more about her music. Listen to her songs online, you will be glad you did.