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Swarm Gallery

March 15 - April 14, 2008

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560 Second Street Oakland, CA 94607
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Jazz Masters
On December 4, 1987, the United States Senate passed a resolution designating Jazz "a rare and valuable national American treasure of international importance". The resolution states that "Jazz has achieved preeminence throughout the world as an indigenous American music and art form, bringing to this country and the world a uniquely American musical synthesis and culture through the African-American experience," among other attributes. Just west of Swarm Gallery, on 7th Street, there was a vibrant stretch of jazz and blues clubs, a cultural mecca that drew musicians and music lovers from all over the country in the 40s and 50s. The exhibition at Swarm, "Jazz Masters," includes representations of great figures in jazz by artist James Gayles (a musician himself). This series of portaits pays tribute to contemporary and historical jazz practitioners, with an emphasis on the Bay Area's own. The subjects of his works are those who were born, settled or developed their skills in the Bay Area, most residing in Oakland. Some are legends, some are lesser known, and all represent the breadth of musical talent that inhabits our home. James integrates his figures with more abstract backgrounds, playing of many improvisational themes of jazz. He has captured the unique affect of each of his subjects, ranging from Marcus Shelby to John Coltrane. Project Space: Treasures' Stories An Installation collaboration between James Gayles and Wanda Sabir