origins of jazz – visual essay

These ink paintings were done for the Farben Prize in occasion of the Bologna Jazz Festival in 2017. They represent a selection of the various musical influences that converged in the south of the United States from the XVII to the XX century and characterised the music and rhythm melting pot of the nation which later saw the origins of Minstrel Shows and Blues singers. This project pays hommage to Bessie Smith, whose tremendous vocal power and interpretation won her the nickname of Empress of Blues.