In my daily, inspired pursuit of music discovery – both new and old -, I am most grateful for the many online platforms built to help me discover and share music. New to my arsenal of music discovery tools is ColorHits, a rather unique way to discover and connect to music.

Shifting his web and graphic design talents to the music discovery space, ColorHits founder Matt Barrett has built a powerful discovery tool that provides the user a color search of album art for more than 2 million albums – with new titles added every week. Still in Beta, ColorHits is designed so users can preview tracks, download from iTunes and share on Facebook and Twitter.

I recently spoke with Barrett about his music discovery endeavor. He was also happy to use Miles Davis as an example of how ColorHits was designed to help explore new music by connecting color similarities in album art.

I mentioned that ColorHits is still in Beta, but early access is currently available. Definitely drop by ColorHits to sign up and request your invite to take a closer look at the music discovery tool.

Click HERE to sign-up!

Miles Davis Online: What is the story behind how – and why – you developed ColorHits?
Matt Barrett: ColorHits was actually not my first attempt at creating a new way to discover music. It started when the Beatles were first introduced on iTunes and all the fan-fare that came with it. It had its own press conference, it took over the apple website… it all seemed a bit much to me. I was first thinking of a way to mock such an extravagant music launch, creating oddly-named, fake bands that would be a ‘daily deal’ approach to new bands. Humor was the main purpose but another use was to connect people to real bands in iTunes based off the fake band name. It sounds ridiculous describing it now and, at the time, I realized it would require a lot of creative power on my part.

During this exploration period, I came across one piece of album art that ultimately lead me to continue with ColorHits as it exists today. The album was Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak. I noticed the color bar on the left side and thought, what if those colors were a summary of the colors in the album art. Of course for this example, that isn’t the case, but I thought to myself, ‘what other albums use those same colors?’ Rewind 2 years and I was actually working on code for a separate project that did just that. I mashed both of them together and ColorHits was born.

Why? ColorHits happened out of coincidence yet it mixes perfectly with my personal and professional life. I’m a developer by trade but have always looked at the world from a design point of view and appreciate all kinds of music, playing some myself. In the early stages of development, I was curious and when I saw the results and potential of color searching music albums, it turned into an obsession and I had to make it available to others.

Miles Davis Online: Do you think people will let the colors guide their music discovery, or stick to search by artist or genre? I imagine once they see the interesting connections via album art, they might want to allow the colors to be their guide.
Matt Barrett: Searching for music with color is an odd thing to do, it’s even harder to describe… I’ve tried many times! You’re not quite sure what to expect and that’s the beauty of ColorHits as it relates to music discovery.

I included both ways to search because I see two primary ways to begin. You might want to start with your favorite album, then branch out from there and see what other albums look like your favorites in the same genre or jump into other genres.

Someone might also be in complete discovery mode and want to check out pink and black alternative albums. You might love them, you might hate them. I leave that for the listeners to decide. Curiosity and discovering music on your own is a big driver for ColorHits. I see it as being ‘active discovery’ where other options like internet radio are more passive. With this site, it’s really effective when you’re on a search for something completely new, that none of your friends have probably heard or seen before.

We have over 2.5 million albums on the site so there is so much to discover. Music is meant to be shared and we try to make that easy too by allowing users to share on Facebook and Twitter with one click.

Miles Davis Online: Let’s use Miles Davis as an example how someone can use ColorHits for music discovery.
Matt Barrett: Miles Davis is a great example. Since we know who we like, start with the keyword search and click on any album. Miles Davis Sketches of Spain comes right up with a complete color profile, track list and similar jazz albums that use similar colors. If you click on ‘more jazz albums with these colors’, you’ll see that there are over 200 jazz albums with similar colors. Some you may have heard of, but hopefully some new albums to discover.

You can also do a general search by choosing the jazz genre, then choosing any color or combination of colors. Click on the results to preview, explore and share.

Miles Davis Online: When are you thinking about an official launch?
Matt Barrett: ColorHits is currently in beta and invites are being sent out in batches. Anyone interested in early access can sign up for an account at colorhits.com. We will email you when we’re ready. A full launch will be soon after we finish up some lingering bugs and any feedback from the initial users.

Miles Davis Online: Once you are out of beta and humming along, where would you like to take ColorHits, how would you like to see it evolve? Is it a matter of adding music, along with users?
Matt Barrett: Music is added every week so there will always be new music to discover. I have plans to get a mobile presence out soon that will include notifications of discovery so the site will discover specific albums based on a users’ musical and color. In the short-term, its more focused around what a useful to our members and how we can modify the core functionality to help them find things they love.

If I’m the person down the road charged with marketing the film, I would absolutely seek out talents like Stadtlender, along with Julien Trédan-Turini and Heath Killen, who each contributed awesome teaser poster designs, and devise some kind of design contest/workshop/whatever that utilizes the skill of artists who clearly have a love for design and Miles Davis.

But that is a discussion for another time.

Here we have Stadtlender’s latest – and it rocks! We wish the movie was opening summer 2012!! What I like is how Stadtlender plays with all sorts of visual styles from one design to another; a touch of modern here, a tip of the cap to the legendary Saul Bass there – a nice variety of color, design and concept.

I added a gallery below of all eight teaser poster designs. But here is the latest.

© Michael Stadtlender

The three Miles Davis collages, one above and one below, are excellent, which is an obvious declaration. But to explore Mardi’s unique artistry is quite exciting, like a visual jolt to the eyes and mind. Each collage is a cool assemblage of colors and photos, words and designs.

The many collage designs are downright inspiring. After awhile I get the impulse to start experimenting with this technique of visual art. But for now I will leave the collage art to talented professionals like Jose Mardi. Based in Valencia, Spain, the artist was so kind recently to chat with me about his craft, inspiration, and Miles Davis.

Miles Davis Online: How would you describe the ‘style’ of your artwork?
Jose Mardi: I work with the technique of collage, freestyle. I use paper, scissors, cutter and glue. No computer, no scan, or anything that has to do with digital manipulation. Jazz images from the 20s to 60s inspire me, photography and album covers and teachers who created an iconography for life. My collages can be understood as a tribute to them. With all the respect I have for their work.

Miles Davis Online: Why Miles Davis?
Jose Mardi: I use lots of different artists. But with Miles it’s impossible not to admit his image is iconic, his work is the work of life surrounding jazz. It is for any jazz lover a starting point, a continuity or change, a lot different things that inspire us and make us better people.

For my work, any of his classic photos could make me sit for hours composing new images, new perspectives that are often nonsensical – and new ways of understanding music.

Miles Davis Online: You feature so many wonderful musicians – and plenty of jazz artists. Would you say there is something unique about jazz musicians that make them such compelling subjects for your artwork?
Jose Mardi: Although what I said about Miles Davis is special, it could be about other musicians. Images taken by William Claxton and Herman Leonard, the designs of Reid Miles, or Steinweiss, among many others, are so faithful to what the music represents, sometimes I’m scared to manipulate their work. But my love of jazz helps and motivates me.

I like the spontaneity of the work. Not everything has to be perfect.

Miles Davis Online: Are you working on anything special at the moment?
Jose Mardi: Every day I think of joining pieces of paper to create some new jazz collage that someone might like. I am currently working on a series of collages around the blues.

Miles Davis Online: Obviously music plays a large role in your work. Can you talk about your musical influences and how they have impacted your work as an artist?
Jose Mardi: I’m a big music fan. Mainly, during the last two decades, Afro-American roots music. Blues, jazz and soul and their younger siblings. The music has inspired me to live and grow. Last year I closed my record store where I worked for eleven years – but I am still part of the business of music.

For my collage work I decided to start with the images of jazz because it is the most likely offered to me. In my daily life, including my work on collages, a lot of big names and much less known musicians helped build my work. Lee Morgan, Coltrane, Eddie Jefferson, Art Blakey, Tyrone Washington, Carmell Jones, Lorez Alexandria… it’s impossible to name only a few. Not too mention soul music, of which I have real passion.

Miles Davis Online: Will you revisit Miles Davis again?
Jose Mardi: Definitely, yes. I have only to find good images to use.

Miles Davis Online: Favorite Miles Davis album?
Jose Mardi: Difficult question. I like his Blue Note, Columbia or Prestige records, but one reference still to me is “Birth of the Cool” on Capitol.







* You can see more of Jose Mardi’s artwork on Flickr.

Artwork is © Jose Mardi

Stumbling across the Internet and discovering a talented artist and author like Jesse Watson really makes my day. Sure, he features outstanding Miles Davis paintings, which is what led me to his official website in the first place, but all of his artwork – which includes wonderful collections like Jazz & Blues, Jamaica, Faces of Reggae and NW Surf Art – should definitely definitely definitely be enjoyed.

I see a painting of Miles Davis dressed in a spacesuit, I am immediatley going to need to know what all that’s about. So I dropped Jesse a line and he was kind enough to chat with me about what Miles is doing in space and other creative matters.

Miles Davis Online: Is there anything specific that sparked your interest to paint Miles?
Jesse Watson: I’ve been mystified by Miles’ music for a long time. The power and gentleness, clarity and chaos. There is no more confusing and intriguing a subject as he. In all these portraits of musicians, it is my goal to represent not only their likeness but the vibes of the music they share with us. So for my portraits of Miles, I set out to show different sides of the man and his music.

Miles Davis Online: I can’t believe I waited until the second question to ask, but let’s talk about the painting Miles Away. Miles Davis dressed like an astronaut is equally terrific and curious. Where did you get the idea to paint Miles in space?
Jesse Watson: Miles Away. How could Miles not be from outer space, or from the future, or from another dimension? He seemed so distant and unique and I couldn’t help but picture him showing up for a gig and then as soon as it was over, hopping back into his space shuttle and leaving Earth again.

It was as if he had a very clear view of humanity from his perch seven thousand miles up, and when he visited us with his music he gave us exactly what we needed. But he was not at home here. He was just visiting.

Miles Davis Online: Would you say there is something inherently unique about jazz musicians that make them such compelling subjects to paint?
Jesse Watson: Absolutely! All of these players that I painted had the ability to transcend time and space with their improvisation and problem solving. They left indelible marks on our culture with their recordings but it was not the notes, it was the interaction, the timing, the nuance, the magic. And that magic can’t be canned or called on by anybody who wants to record an album.

I intended my process in painting these images to mirror the sessions these guys had. I laid down an unrestricted ink line, doing my best to capture the likeness but also let my body respond to the music I was listening to while I inked. Then with acrylic paint, I would paint into the ink and define the rest of the painting in an improvisation right then and there. The days or weeks following when I would “finish up” would be a task of further building up the oddities of that initial improv of ink and paint.

And so the problem solving that happens right on the spot can take closer to my finished piece or create a host of problems I will need to solve before getting there. I have to make a decision, good or bad, and then turn that decision into something that works with the whole painting. Like an ensemble, each player must both bravely step out into the silence, and conform their own utterances to the benefit of the song itself.

Miles Davis Online: Who are some of the past or contemporary artists who influence you?
Jesse Watson: Matisse, Coltrane, Pissarro, Van Gogh, Sargent, Miles, N.C. Wyeth, Marley, Tosh, De La, Rakim, Hockney, my dad – and the list goes on.

Miles Davis Online: Are you working on anything special at the moment?
Jesse Watson: I am always working on concepts for fine art exhibits. I tend to work in big bodies of work with common themes. I have an idea for a show dealing with punk rock that I might get to someday. Not sure about that one. Hmm.

I am also working on children’s books, which is the other half of my work. Always writing and sketching for the next possible project. So, just like the soloist on stage, I have to make a sound and go with it.

Miles Davis Online: Favorite Miles Davis album?
Jesse Watson: It feels so standard to say, but Kind of Blue really does get so much play that I have had to replace the CD more than a few times in my life, but I also love In a Silent Way an awful lot, too.


* You can see more of Jesse Watson’s artwork at his official website.

Artwork is © Jesse Watson

1. Miles Davis

Long before he affected shoulder-padded MC Hammer jackets and Jheri curls, Miles put it together with a poise and ease befitting the baddest mother in the business.

Hard to argue.

link.

(pt. 2)

I was fortunate recently to make the acquaintance of talented actor and artist Chris R. Wright. The London-based Wright features a terrific collection of sketches on his website, each produced with a ballpoint pen on watercolour paper. Biro is the word commonly known to describe this type of artistic sketching.

Among the collection of nicely-detailed, clever and unique sketches, we have a delightful Miles Davis sketch (above), which Wright was kind enough to send our way, along with a few minutes to chat about the story behind the artwork.

Miles Davis Online: What is the story behind this fantastic sketch of Miles Davis?
Chris R. Wright: I was made aware of something called The Miles Davis Fan Project, which involved Miles Davis fans compiling a kind of ‘favourites’ album, dictated by how many ‘likes’ various tracks received on facebook.

It is to be a legitimate release through Sony and part of the project is to vote on the album’s title and artwork, which are open to anyone (or so I thought) to design and name. Once work was completed on my offering, I was a little crestfallen to hear that non U.S. residents were actually not eligable to submit their work!

Miles Davis Online: Have you sketched Miles in the past, or any other jazz artists?
Chris R. Wright: I had never drawn Miles Davis before, but occasionally sketch quasi-caricatures of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and a few others. I wanted to draw him for some time, among others, but never quite had the courage. For the most part what I doodle are imagined characters not based directly on anything real, so I hesitate before attempting portraits because they require that bit of extra care and attention (especially with a ballpoint pen). However, the fan project gave me the excuse I was looking for and I enjoyed drawing Miles a great deal.

Miles Davis Online: How did you decide on this particular image/design of Miles Davis to sketch?
Chris R. Wright: I wanted him to look really rock ‘n’ roll, coz I think he is up there with the Elvis/Dylan sort of figures, so I opted for the not-too-short not-too-long hairstyle, with a hint of quiff, and those great shades he wore. The cigarette had to be there too for added cool and I wanted to get the electric side across, so the smoke turning into a jack etc.

Basically, I think he looked like crap in the eighties so knew I’d avoid that era, but didn’t want to do yet another ‘safe’ “Kind of Blue” Miles Davis which we all see too often. The detail on the waving paper behind him is roughly lifted from the artwork on Live Evil. His albums always looked great!

Miles Davis Online: Favorite Miles Davis album?
Chris R. Wright: I’m by no means an aficionado and haven’t heard a great deal of his work, but I do own maybe half a dozen of his records, crossing both the early and later releases. I think out of them it would have to be “In a Silent Way” right now which was a present from a friend who is a long-time Miles Davis fan (and certainly more appreciative of his work than I am). I am amazed by this record, not least how how enduring it is and it has quickly become a firm favourite.

* The Miles Davis sketch is available to purchase as a print here.

© Chris R. Wright

(Artist Series, Volume 17)

Last year I had the pleasure to catch up with Erwann Gauthier, artistic director for Paris-based design studio Ezz-thetic. Gauthier was kind of enough to let me post two of his Miles Davis illustrations, which you can see here.

It’d be tough for any creative type to stay away from Miles Davis for too long, and here we are back with four new illustrations from Gauthier inspired by jazz legend Miles Davis. The new designs are delightful, so full of bold color and cool style. Gauthier said it was okay to post the new artwork, which can be found above and below in the gallery. I even had the pleasure to catch up with the talented designer to see what’s new. Now if only I can get to Paris sometime to do the interview in person!

Miles Davis Online: First of all – how are things in Paris?
Erwann Gauthier: Everything is really fine! I am on holiday. A deep breath of fresh air before going back to work.

Miles Davis Online: What inspired you to return to Miles Davis as a design subject?
Erwann Gauthier: An illustration on Philip Burke’s blog that I really loved! It gave me renewed desire to work (again) on Miles Davis.

Miles Davis Online: Your choice of colors is really striking. Do you create the image of the illustration before the color, or do you have an idea of the colors you want to use right from the start?
Erwann Gauthier: Thanks so much for the compliment. First I create the illustration and then I have it colored. Trying different combinations in order to find the best one. I love mixing all these colors together.

Miles Davis Online: Would you say there’s a certain style that defines you as an artist, or do you prefer to explore all types of web design and illustration?
Erwann Gauthier: I do not think I have one definite style. I’d rather say I am in perpetual research, which allows me to try a lot of new things.

Miles Davis Online: Can you talk a little about Ezz-thetic, your role as creative director and the type of work you are doing these days?
Erwann Gauthier: Ezz-thetic is a creative studio focused on developing integrated advertising, digital and branded experiences. Ezz-thetic is based in Paris, France. The name of my studio is homage to Geaorge Russell and his album ‘ezz6thetics.’ Miles Davis has performed this piece a lot of times. I am a graphic designer, artistic director. My role is to answer visual communication challenges.

I am working on “les victoires du jazz” which is the French Grammy awards for jazz. It will take place in nice next September. I am also working on Bruno Weppe’s web site, he is a fantastic French hair and make up artist.

* You can find more artwork from Erwann Gauthier at Ezz-thetic.
Artwork is © Erwann Gauthier

The Miles Davis Lounge, located inside the luxurious Kulm Hotel St.Moritz, is ‘a place for fans and music lovers.’

The Miles Davis Lounge, perfectly situated in the heart of St. Moritz, is also the latest addition to the Festival da Jazz; the fifth installment of the jazz festival in the elegant resort town of St.Moritz begins July 14th and runs until August 14th.

From Thursday to Saturday, the Miles Davis Lounge closes out the evenings with a series of Round Midnight Concerts.

As the name of the famous Thelonius Monk standard suggests, the concerts start around the midnight hour and feature mainly excellent Swiss bands – but there is plenty of opportunity for musicians to join the fun and jam onstage. The ‘official’ concerts last for an hour.

With the Miles Davis Lounge, Kulm Hotel manager Dominique N. Godat underlines the character of “savoir vivre” at the 5-star hotel that offers stunning views over Lake St. Moritz.

“The lounge is a place where connoisseurs and music lovers come together to enjoy a drink in a pleasing atmosphere,” said Godat.

The Miles Davis Lounge is quite sizable and beautifully designed; the lounge is the largest in the Engadine valley in Switzerland. The handsome wood paneling, warm decor and floor to ceiling panoramic windows with views of the beautiful countryside no doubt provide an ideal setting for late night jazz and cocktails.

Here is the Festival da Jazz program schedule.

It’s settled. I have to make a pilgrimage to the Miles Davis Lounge in St. Moritz. How can I not?

It’s minimal, it’s cool and it’s awesome! I think ‘The Great Gatsby’ is my favorite of the bunch so far. But each one is really good.

So….. I thought it would be interesting to think what Tezak might incorporate if he were to ‘sum up’ Miles Davis using just four icons.

Here’s a quick rundown of icons I think could work. Feel free to add your thoughts if I’ve missed a few.

Trumpet (pretty obvious)
Expensive suit
The wrap-around shades from the Bitches Brew period
Boxing gloves (maybe?)
The pose from the Jack Johnson album cover
Sheet music for “All Blues” (or something from his Gil Evans collaborations)