Here is a quick take on a jazz saxophonist. I’ve posted this and many more of the drawings from my recent trip to New Orleans here: http://www.gregbetza.com/new-orleans-live/ Greg Betza ©2020
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Here is a late night drawing from the Spotted Cat Music Club in New Orleans. This sax player and the vibe of this band were so chill, it was the perfect soundtrack to end the night. Thanks to Veronica Lawlor for the recommendation. Greg Betza ©2020
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As I club-hopped down Frenchman Street in New Orleans I stopped in a half empty club called the Blue Nile, which quickly filled up once this brass/percussion band hit the stage. I believe there were 7 musicians up there at once. Lots of energy. I was interested in the blue and yellow lights for some reason, […]
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I spent a week in New Orleans and was able to get out and draw some live jazz. Here is a drawing with litho crayon and a marker. I’ll post more soon… Greg Betza ©2020
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I spent last night in and out of jazz clubs on Frenchman Street in New Orleans. Each club had a different vibe and a very different take on what most of them referred to as “New Orleans” music. As someone who loves drawing musicians it was so fun to keep changing up my approach as […]
View post →New Orleans is really a romantic city – the jazz music, the voodoo vibe, the paddle boats, the wrought iron architecture and of course, the horse & carriages that are all over the city. The sound of horse hooves clomping down the cobblestone streets (I forgot that in the list!) really adds to the atmosphere. […]
View post →Happy Fourth of July! A wonderful American holiday and an excuse to hang out, relax, and enjoy family and friends. What I saw going on every day in New Orleans, coincidentally! Above is a drawing of a Nola restaurant on an average day – everyone hanging out and making good use of the sunshine. Nice […]
View post →By way of a good friend, I was in attendance at Tuesday’s performance by jazz legend Pharoah Sanders. This was the first show of five at New York City’s Birdland. It was quite a scene to watch the 71 year old with his white hair, white beard and white shirt against the deep red “BIRDLAND” […]
View post →Took this drawing I made of an Afro-Cuban band in New Orleans a few years ago and messed around with it in the computer. It was fun to create the brown line and add some music/energy marks in bright colors. This was an awesome band, the old Cuban guys really knew how to create a […]
View post →I just returned from a trip to New Orleans, one of my favorite cities. While there I decided to visit the lower ninth ward and record what was going on there, six years after the massive flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina. It was shocking to see…many of the homes that were once there are just […]
View post →A few years ago I was lucky enough to attend a performance by the great blues singer, Dr. John, at a small venue in the East 60’s in Manhattan. There he was in all his purple velvet glory, belting them out in a little chic enclave with tapestry wallpaper and crystal chandeliers. I loved the […]
View post →When life gets hectic, I often travel to New Orleans in my mind. Warm weather, the scent of honeysuckle, the sound of gypsy guitars and the slow pulse of the paddleboats going up the Mississippi. I like New Orleans. Veronica
View post →In keeping with the New Orleans theme of my previous posts, here is a drawing of people havin’ fun and partying with the musicians in Jackson Square. Happy weekend everyone! Summer Saturdays in July are always great. – Veronica
View post →In honor of the start of the holiday weekend, I thought I’d post a drawing I made at the biggest and most fabulous outdoor barbecue I’ve ever been to, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival! This drawing is of folks two-stepping at the zydeco tent, yee-ha — Happy 4th of July! – Veronica
View post →OTRA is one hot latin jazz dance band that I saw performing at the Blue Nile in New Orleans. I met Sam Price, the bassist, when I was drawing him performing with another group at a club on Bourbon Street. “You’ve got to come to Frenchman Street and draw!” he said, and drew me a […]
View post →To start my postings on the Studio 1482 one-drawing-a-day blogsite, I’ve put up one of the drawings I made at the New Orleans Jazz Fest in 2005. Our magazine, Go Do It, features my photo essay from New Orleans in the first issue (see it HERE) but the drawings I made there have been waiting their turn […]
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